Jantjes eased back to action

Cape Town - The Stormers have decided to ease Conrad Jantjes back into action on Saturday when they play the Crusaders in the first of their five Super 14 Australasia tour matches in Christchurch.

As a result Jantjes, South Africa's No 1 fullback, will start out on the bench while veteran Percy Montgomery retains his position. Jantjes was sidelined for three matches after sustaining a calf injury.

Peter Grant, who was roped in as a replacement centre against the Lions at Newlands a fortnight ago, will retain that berth and will partner captain Jean de Villiers as the team's midfield pairing.

Saturday's match will be a milestone in De Villiers' Super 14 career as it will mark his 50th appearance for the Stormers.

Gcobani Bobi will be at rightwing while Willem de Waal has been retained in the pivot position.

Jantjes along with Dylan des Fountain will provide backline cover and since both are fairly versatile players, they'll offer the Stormers plenty of options.

In the pack the 22-year-old Wicus Blaauw who has given a good account of himself at loosehead has deservedly been retained and the experienced JD Moller, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Blues, is on the bench.

AJ Venter will take Andries Bekker's place at lock, with Hilton Lobberts, the retreaded loosie, providing second-row cover. When Lobberts joins the fray it will be his first Super 14 outing for the Stormers since he left the Bulls last season.

Francois Louw is also on the substitutes' bench and he can play at flank and lock.

The Stormers are up against a Crusaders side that got their campaign back on track after a good win over the Waratahs in Sydney last week.

Several Crusaders players were nursing injuries after the Sydney clash and their selectors may have to send out a vastly reshuffled side against the Stormers.

They are still without their inspirational captain Richie McCaw who has returned to training but he'll still be hogging the sideline for another two or three weeks.

Stormers: Percy Montgomery; Gcobani Bobo, Jean De Villiers (captain), Peter Grant, Sireli Naqelevuki; Willem De Waal, Ricky Januarie; Luke Watson, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, AJ Venter, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits and Wicus Blaauw.

Replacements: Tiaan Liebenberg, JD Moller, Hilton Lobberts, Francois Louw, Dewaldt Duvenage, Dylan des Fountain, Conrad Jantjes.

Saturday's kick-off is at 08:35 (South African time).