Returning Boks beef up Stormers
LEYDS TO START AT FLYHALF AGAINST THE BLUES Coach Fleck sticks to Treeby in midfield, includes fit-again De Allende on the bench.
The Stormers have bolstered their side with the return of three Springboks to their starting line-up for tomorrow night’s Super Rugby clash against the Blues at Newlands.
It is the Stormers’ first game since they returned a fortnight ago from their unsuccessful New Zealand trip where they lost their final game against the Hurricanes.
At lock, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit return after missing the Hurricanes clash with ankle and calf muscle niggles respectively to replace Jan de Klerk and Chris van Zyl.
Frans Malherbe is also back at tighthead prop to replace Wilco Louw after he was rested in their last game in line with the management of national players.
In what should be positive news for the Springboks, centre Damian de Allende will make his return on the bench after a lengthy struggle with an ankle injury.
But coach Robbie Fleck opted to retain former Highlander Shaun Treeby, who was strong on defence against the Hurricanes, at inside centre. They will need solid defenders in midfield, especially now that the Blues have recalled Sonny Bill Williams who has recovered from his concussion scare.
Both Louw and De Klerk will play a big role coming off the bench, with the only other change to the forward pack coming at loosehead prop in a rotational move where Oli Kebble starts ahead of Ali Vermaak.
Dillyn Leyds has been moved from wing to flyhalf, a role he performed in Wellingon when Rob du Preez was forced off the field with a torn pectoral muscle.
A fit-again Seabelo Senatla takes Leyds’ place out on the left wing.
SP Marais, Cheslin Kolbe, EW Viljoen, Shaun Treeby, Seabelo Senatla, Dillyn Leyds, Dewaldt Duvenage, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi (capt), Kobus van Dyk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble. Bench: Ramone Samuels, Ali Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Jan de Klerk, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Jano Vermaak, Brandon Thomson, Damian de Allende.