Stephen Nell

Cape Town – Ikeys centre Tim Whitehead has been confirmed as Juan de Jongh’s replacement in the Stormers’ starting line-up, while Gio Aplon makes a surprise return on the right wing in Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Cheetahs.

It was a possibility to pick Willem de Waal at flyhalf and move Peter Grant to cover inside centre for the injured De Jongh, but the Stormers expect the 21-year-old Whitehead to pass his Super 14 test with flying colours.

“It’s time for us to trust our young players. It is seen as positive when other unions do it, but viewed as a risk when we do it,” said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee.

“Tim has played four games in the Varsity Cup and three for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup at inside centre. He also played in our warm-up games against Boland and the Maties.

“He has impressed us. He has time on the ball and good vision. We’re thin at inside centre, but fortunately Juan’s injury is a short-term one.”

Coetzee does not expect Whitehead’s inclusion to compromise the team’s standards on defence.

“I’m very comfortable with him in that sense. He has a big heart.”

The decision to include Aplon again after Sireli Naqelevuki’s good performance against the Hurricanes will surprise many. However, there are also good reasons for the change.

“Gio was still considered our best No 14 three weeks ago. He had flu and it’s only right to pick him again. I am glad that Sireli managed to boost his confidence. Gio has a good left boot and that is a good weapon,” said Coetzee.

Aplon’s inclusion also gives the Stormers an injection of pace. That may well help them defend against speedsters such as Jongi Nokwe and Lionel Mapoe.

Teams:

Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Anton Van Zyl, 3. Brok Harris, 2.         Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Wicus Blaauw

Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. JC Kritzinger, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Pieter Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Willem De Waal, 22. Sireli Naqelevuki

Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Naas Olivier, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Frans Viljoen, 7. Juan Smith (captain), 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Nico Breedt, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Wian du Preez

Substitutes: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18.. Barend Pieterse, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Corne Uys, 22. Danwel Demas