Xaba out as Cape side forced to make wholesale changes

Promising new openside flank Nama Xaba’s injury is one of several forcing changes to the DHL Stormers team that might change perspective on their prospects in Saturday’s PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA North vs South showdown with the Vodacom Bulls.

After last week’s 33-30 defeat to the Sharks, changes were expected for the Bulls game at Cape Town Stadium.

Seabelo Senatla was always likely to be suspended after his red card, flyhalf Kade Wolhuter’s knee injury was serious and coach John Dobson was not confident about lock JD Schickerling’s ankle injury.

However, what wasn’t anticipated was the raft of changes unveiled in Friday’s team announcement, with five changes to the backline and nine to the starting team.

That includes changes on both wings and both halfbacks.

At forward, Schickerling failed to get fit in time and is replaced by David Meihuizen.

Xaba injured an ankle in training and is replaced by Marcel Theunissen.

Evan Roos will be in the number eight jersey, with Engelbrecht playing off the bench.

Bongi Mbonambi returns at hooker for Scarra Ntubeni.

At the back, Herschel Jantjies is replaced by Godlen Masimla.

Abner van Reenen replaces Wolhuter. Dan du Plessis comes in at outside centre for Ruhan Nel, who is training with the Blitzboks, while Sergeal Petersen returns from injury in place of Senatla.

Dobson made a voluntary change on the other wing, with Leolin Zas wearing the number eleven jersey and Edwill van der Merwe included on an extended bench.