Cape Town - It seems like it happened in the blink of an eye, but Nizaam Carr will earn his 50th Super Rugby cap for the Stormers against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
The 24-year-old is benefiting from Schalk Burger’s rest week, and his 50th cap will come in front of his home crowd and with a start.
"It’s brilliant and I’m sure we’d all like to make sure it is a good 50th. We understand that people are normally superstitious with 50 and those milestones," said Coetzee.
"It’s a great opportunity for Nemo (Carr) at Newlands and he is excited to get a run on and a start again. So we wish him well. We all know it’s not about the individual milestones, the team comes first, and I’m sure Nemo will do his best for the team to be successful."
Coetzee also explained the thinking in selecting Carr at number six.
"I know I initially said earlier in the week that Nemo might slot in at seven, but look, both those players have played six and both can carry ball as well so we just thought it best for Nemo to go to the six role," Coetzee said.
"It’s immaterial, it’s just a number on a back."
Burger’s exclusion also means that there is room on the bench for Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who makes the step up from Vodacom Cup rugby this week.
"He’s really been playing consistently well at Vodacom Cup level and therefore he’s on the bench. It’s a great opportunity for him as well."
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:05.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Juan de Jongh (vice-captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Huw Jones
Cheetahs:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Boom Prinsloo, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie
Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Coenie van Wyk, 23 Rayno Benjamin