Cape Town - Perth-born Luke Burton will make his Super Rugby debut at inside centre when the Western Force take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.
The 20-year-old re-joined the Force squad for their South African tour after being a part of the Australian Under-20 side that defeated Samoa Under-20 34-5 late last month. Burton has been selected in the Australian squad for his second IRB Junior World Championship in June.
Burton replaces Kyle Godwin, who has been ruled out with a knee injury, and will form a new centre pairing with Chris Tuatara-Morrison, who has been promoted to the starting line-up.
“I’m excited to make my Super Rugby debut for the Force and it’s something I’ve dreamt about for a long time,” Burton told the Force's official website. “My family’s originally from South Africa too so it’s really special to have the chance to play - and make my debut - at a ground like Newlands.
“I’m lucky to be playing behind a forward pack and be part of a backline that has been so consistent this season, and as a younger player coming into the team, I feel confident by having so many experienced players around me.
“The guys have performed really well this season and it’s great to have a chance to be able to contribute to that.”
Former Stormers outside back Marcel Brache shifts from outside centre to the wing in place of Dane Haylett-Petty, who will miss the match due to a groin injury. Brache played four seasons with Western Province and made his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers against the Lions in 2012.
Brache will link up in the Western Force back three with both of last weekend’s try scorers, Nick Cummins and Jayden Hayward, while Ian Prior and Sias Ebersohn will continue their combination in the halves.
The Force have named an unchanged forward pack for Saturday’s match, while Patrick Dellit comes into the squad in the only change on the bench.
Kick-off for Saturday's games is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Schalk Burger (captain), 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Michael Rhodes, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Brok Harris
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Martin Dreyer, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Dylon Frylinck, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Michael van der Spuy
Force:
15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 12 Luke Burton, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan
Substitutes: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Patrick Dellit
The 20-year-old re-joined the Force squad for their South African tour after being a part of the Australian Under-20 side that defeated Samoa Under-20 34-5 late last month. Burton has been selected in the Australian squad for his second IRB Junior World Championship in June.
Burton replaces Kyle Godwin, who has been ruled out with a knee injury, and will form a new centre pairing with Chris Tuatara-Morrison, who has been promoted to the starting line-up.
“I’m excited to make my Super Rugby debut for the Force and it’s something I’ve dreamt about for a long time,” Burton told the Force's official website. “My family’s originally from South Africa too so it’s really special to have the chance to play - and make my debut - at a ground like Newlands.
“I’m lucky to be playing behind a forward pack and be part of a backline that has been so consistent this season, and as a younger player coming into the team, I feel confident by having so many experienced players around me.
“The guys have performed really well this season and it’s great to have a chance to be able to contribute to that.”
Former Stormers outside back Marcel Brache shifts from outside centre to the wing in place of Dane Haylett-Petty, who will miss the match due to a groin injury. Brache played four seasons with Western Province and made his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers against the Lions in 2012.
Brache will link up in the Western Force back three with both of last weekend’s try scorers, Nick Cummins and Jayden Hayward, while Ian Prior and Sias Ebersohn will continue their combination in the halves.
The Force have named an unchanged forward pack for Saturday’s match, while Patrick Dellit comes into the squad in the only change on the bench.
Kick-off for Saturday's games is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Schalk Burger (captain), 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Michael Rhodes, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Brok Harris
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Martin Dreyer, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Dylon Frylinck, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Michael van der Spuy
Force:
15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 12 Luke Burton, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan
Substitutes: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Patrick Dellit