Share

Patched-up Highlanders name team for Stormers

Cape Town - Highlanders coach Tony Brown has named his team for Friday’s Super Rugby encounter against the Stormers in Dunedin.

Brown made a few changes to the team that beat the Sunwolves 40-15 in Invercargill last week.

The Highlanders have lost a couple of key cogs to their pack in the form of Luke Whitelock and Elliot Dixon.

Whitelock has been struck down with concussion-type symptoms, while Dixon - a late scratching for that game due to a knee infection - has not recovered in time.

Losing the duo leaves five Highlanders loose forwards on the injury list, with Dan Pryor (knee), Shane Christie (illness) and James Lentjes (elbow) also still unavailable.

In another blow, midfielder Richard Buckman has been ruled out with an Achilles injury, leaving Malakai Fekitoa to revert to his preferred outside centre position, while inside centre Rob Thompson will make his first appearance since a family bereavement last month.

The Highlanders will again have to get by without flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, while wing Patrick Osborne will play his 50th game for the men from Otago.

Kick-off for Friday’s clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium is scheduled for 09:35 (SA time).

Teams:

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Jackson Hemopo, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes

Stormers

15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.

Substitutes: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Shaun Treeby, 23 Bjorn Basson

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1118 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1286 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1981 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE