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Stormers' Grant back in town

Cape Town - Flyhalf Peter Grant has returned from Japan and will be considered for the Stormers’ second Super Rugby game against the Sharks in Durban next week.

Backline coach Robbie Fleck confirmed the news to Die Burger on Thursday.

Grant will start training with the team on Monday. "Peter is already in the Cape," said Fleck.

Meanwhile, Springbok pivot Elton Jantjies will start in their Super Rugby opener against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday evening.

Jantjies, who is on loan from the Lions, forms part of a new halfback combination with scrumhalf Nick Groom, while Damian de Allende forms a new centre partnership with captain Jean de Villiers.

Fellow Lions import Jaco Taute will start at fullback, forming a new back trio with wings Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon.

Despite the changes in backline personnel, Fleck stressed that they can't afford to only click into gear in week three or four.

"Elton and Jaco integrated very well with the team, and yes, there will be mishaps and mistakes here and there, but we're happy with the way things went on the training field.

"We have an established pack and the new backline additions are exciting."

The clash at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 19:10 on Friday.

Teams:

Bulls:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Francois Venter

Stormers:

15. Jaco Taute, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Don Armand, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gerhard van den Heever, 22. Joe Pietersen

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