Stormers use youngster in changes for Cheetahs
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck will throw rookie flank Cobus Wiese into battle against the Cheetahs on Saturday after naming him in the starting XV for the Super Rugby meeting.
Wiese‚ 19‚ made his debut off the bench in last week’s 44-31 win over the Sunwolves in Singapore and has a starting chance after veteran flank Rynhardt Elstadt was ruled out for 12 weeks with an ankle injury.
“With the injury to Rynhardt we needed to make a change and the impact he [Wiese] had off the bench against the Sunwolves was significant enough to convince us‚” Fleck said.
“He played well in the preseason and his physicality last week was impressive. He has a high work rate and his lineout skills are decent‚ which gives us options there. He is a young kid who brings a lot of energy.
“The balance was better for this week with Cobus starting‚ and Nizaam Carr will offer experience from the bench.”
In a change Fleck described as “rotational” centre Daniel du Plessis takes over from Dan Kriel in the midfield. But there is no doubt Du Plessis added spark and a lot of momentum when he came on last weekend and for that he has been rewarded.
He will play alongside the impressive EW Viljoen.
“When he came on last week his combination with EW was good and his defensive work was very solid,” Fleck said.
Cheslin Kolbe returns from injury to play on the right wing and Bjorn Basson drops out with Dillyn Leyds moving from fullback to left wing and SP Marais starting at 15.
Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak starts after missing the Sunwolves match even though Fleck was tempted by veteran Dewaldt Duvenage‚ who played well in Singapore.
“Jano was playing very well before his injury and even though Dewaldt was excellent last week‚ we felt it was right to go back to Jano. But it’s great to have someone like Dewaldt playing so well on the bench.”
Frans Malherbe is also included in the starting line-up after missing the trip to Singapore as part of the Springbok management plan. He will line up alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi and loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg.
Bok locks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth return after putting their feet up last weekend.