Du Toit to play flank for Stormers

PLAYER of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit will fill the role of blindside flank for the Stormers against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow.

Coach Robbie Fleck has opted to play the second rower out of position – a ploy that failed at test level‚ most famously when the Springboks lost to Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup – in the absence of captain Siya Kolisi.

The regular skipper is out of this match due to Springbok resting protocols and as a result Fleck made a surprising selection.

Regular blindside flank Cobus Wiese‚ who has been impressive in his brief outings this season‚ is fit. But instead of starting the youngster‚ Fleck has asked Du Toit to fulfil a role that he is familiar with‚ even if not entirely comfortable.

“With Siya out we needed a big ball carrier and with the setpiece threat the Crusaders bring‚ Pieter-Steph answers a few questions for us in that role‚” Fleck said.

“The Crusaders are a direct side and we struggled with momentum against the Lions last week‚ so hopefully Pieter-Steph can bring something.

“I don’t see it as a risky selection. The Crusaders present certain threats and we need to counter them.

“We had a long selection meeting but with Cobus coming back from injury‚ we needed to get the balance of the loose trio right for this game and we think we have.”

In-form fullback SP Marais will miss the match with a groin strain‚ which means Dillyn Leyds moves from wing to fullback‚ allowing Bjorn Basson to start on the left wing.

At scrumhalf, Dewaldt Duvenage‚ who missed last week’s 29-16 loss to the Lions‚ starts with Jano Vermaak slipping down to the bench.

Lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the side in what will be a test of character for the Stormers coming off their first loss of the season last week.