It’s same again for the Stormers
BUT FLECK RESISTS TREEBY TEMPTATION
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck opted for continuity when he named his squad yesterday for the Super Rugby showdown with the Chiefs at Newlands tomorrow.
While the Chiefs named five changes, the Stormers outfit shows just two changes to the team which hammered the Cheetahs 53-10 in Cape Town a week ago.
Fleck resisted the temptation to include centre Shaun Treeby, the experienced new signing previously from the Highlanders.
“He must still get used to our systems so we’ll give him another week to settle in first,” said Fleck.
Fleck said while they know what they are up against the players are raring to go against the team who humiliated them in last year’s quarterfinals.
“The players have all put in a lot of hard work and we cannot wait to test ourselves against the Chiefs this weekend,” said Fleck yesterday.
With both teams still unbeaten going into round seven, Fleck said they will rely on the faithful to steer them to greater heights.
“There should be an incredible atmosphere at Newlands on Saturday, so we are very excited about what lies ahead,” the coach said.
At the back the only change sees Dewaldt Duvenhage replacing Jano Vermaak at scrumhalf due to concussion, while the young Justin Phillips has been added on the bench.
Up front, tighthead prop Wilco Louw returns after missing the Cheetahs match resulting in Frans Malherbe moving down to the bench and Caylib Oosthuizen missing out.
On the bench, Jan de Klerk comes in for Chris van Zyl as the lock replacement.
Young openside flanker Cobus Wiese has been retained after making an energetic first start against the Cheetahs last weekend and the combination with captain Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe at No 8 is going to be crucial to the Stormers’ cause.
After this weekend the Stormers face the Lions next weekend before opening their away leg against overall leaders Crusaders.