The Stormers were forced to make a total of 11 changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Sunwolves at Newlands (5.15pm).
With a number of injuries to key players, coach Robbie Fleck had to dig deep to get a match 23 ready for the must-win encounter.
And he has called on three rookies to make their possible debuts for the Capetonians.
Uncapped Maties flyer Edwill van der Merwe is the only one in the run-on team, with his Western Province teammates Chris Massyn and David Meihuizen coming off the bench.
Of Van der Merwe, who will have SuperSport Challenge captain Craig Barry with him in the back three, Fleck says: “Edwill has been outstanding in the Varsity Cup and for the SuperSport side, while Barry has plenty of Super Rugby experience.”
The duo will man the back three next to Dillyn Leyds, who moves from wing to fullback.
Here is the DHL Stormers team that will face the Sunwolves at DHL Newlands on Saturday. Tickets from Computicket. #iamastormer pic.twitter.com/xnDRALv8Op
— DHL STORMERS (@THESTORMERS) June 6, 2019
In the midfield, Damian de Allende is replaced by Dan Kriel because of the rest agreement with SA Rugby, while Fleck also decided to rotate his flyhalves, with Jean-Luc du Plessis coming in for Josh Stander.
The loosetrio is once again a brand new one, with Jaco Coetzee moving from flank to No.8 and Ernst van Rhyn taking his place at the side of the scrum.
In the middle of the engine room, Chris van Zyl returns from injury in what is a welcomed relief to the coaching staff, while Cobus Wiese will wear the injured Eben Etzbeth’s No.4 jumper.
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi returns to the middle of the front row and will be propped up by Frans Malherbe, who comes in for Wilco Louw and captain Steven Kitshoff.
Stormers:
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff ( captain).
Replacements:
16 Chad Solomon, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Josh Stander, 23 EW Viljoen.
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