Stormers give young star a start

Junior Bok star Juarno Augustus will make his Stormers rugby debut tomorrow after coach Robbie Fleck decided to give him a taste of Super Rugby against the Sunwolves.

Augustus, the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Player-of-the-Tournament, will make his debut on the flank to join returning captain Siya Kolisi and Nizaam Carr in the loose trio.

With both Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who scored the winning try, and Kobus van Dyk having suffered knee injuries against the Cheetahs last week, Fleck saw this is as the ideal opportunity to expose the robust young Augustus.

After labouring to a 40-34 over the Cheetahs last weekend, vice-captain Eben Etzebeth also returns for the encounter after earning a rest last weekend for the Capetonians’ penultimate match before the play-offs.

Also back in the starting lineup this week is centre Damian de Allende, who forms a new midfield combination with EW Viljoen following injuries to Shaun Treeby and Juan de Jongh.

Dillyn Leyds will start at fullback in place of the injured SP Marais, with Seabelo Senatla starting on the wing and the experienced Bjorn Basson on the bench.

With Fleck waving his rotation wand in the front row, Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker alongside JC Janse van Rensburg and Frans Malherbe, with Ramone Samuels joining Steven Kitshoff and Wilco Louw on the bench.

Dillyn Leyds, Cheslin Kolbe, EW Viljoen, Damian de Allende, Seabelo Senatla, Damian Willemse, Jano Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Juarno Augustus, Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg. Bench: Ramone Samuels, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw, Chris van Zyl, JD Schickerling, Justin Phillips, Dan Kriel, Bjorn Basson.