Cape Town - A 28-man Stormers squad will head to George this weekend, as the men from the Cape start their 2015 Super Rugby preparations against the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park on Saturday (16:30 kick-off).
New captain Duane Vermeulen will lead a starting XV with four Test players - three Springboks and an Argentine international - while props Steven Kitshoff (back from a long-term injury) and new signing Vincent Koch are the other noteworthy inclusions.
Dillyn Leyds, after making his return from Australia during last year’s Currie Cup competition, will start on the left-wing - part of an exciting back three with EW Viljoen on the right-wing and speedster Cheslin Kolbe lining up at fullback.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told the Stormers’ official website: “We have trained very well so far, and had a particularly successful trip to Hermanus last week. However, as we all know there is no substitute for actual game time and trying out what you have trained in an actual game situation.
“We have some goals in mind ahead of
Saturday’s match, which includes making use of an enlarged bench, so we’re
looking forward to getting some answers this week in our first of three
pre-season matches.”
Stormers team:
15.
Cheslin Kolbe, 14. EW Viljoen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende,
11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen
(captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4.
Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Oliver Kebble, 18. Wilco Louw, 19.
Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Neil Rautenbach, 21. Michael Willemse, 22.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 23. Louis Schreuder, 24. Demetri Catrakilis, 25. Huw
Jones, 26. Jaco Taute, 27. Godlen Masimla, 28. Robert du Preez