Cape Town - The Stormers sprang a surprise with the selection of hooker Bongi Mbonambi ahead of Scarra Ntubeni in the run-on XV to face the Lions in Saturday's Super Rugby clash in Johannesburg on Saturday (19:10 kick-off).
Of late, Mbonambi has been playing off the substitutes' bench but has been hugely impressive. Ntubeni has been at his consistent best after returning from injury at the start of the season but has yet to reach the form that made him a contender for Springbok selection a few months ago.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said selection changes were kept to a minimum and Mbonambi was a sound choice for a match on the Highveld.