Cape Town - Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has announced his team for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Rebels at Newlands (19:10 kick-off).
Springbok Sevens speedster Seabelo Senatla has been cleared fit to play and will start at right wing against the men from Melbourne. He replaces Johhny Kotze, who drops out of the match-day squad.
“It’s great to welcome Seabelo back from SA Sevens duty, as he did for us last season,” Coetzee told the Stormers’ official website.
“He’s keen and excited to get stuck back in, as he said when he arrived back in the country, and Seabelo knows what we expect from him and why we have selected him.”
In other changes, meanwhile, Louis Schreuder comes in for Nic Groom at scrumhalf and Scarra Ntubeni will start at hooker ahead of Bongi Mbonambi.
“The Rebels have beaten the Crusaders and the Brumbies away this year, so it shows their capacity as a team,” warned Coetzee.
“We need to pitch up for this weekend’s match - we need to bring attitude and ensure our physicality is spot-on. This is much-improved Rebels team; they’re a good team, they’re well-coached and we know we’re in for a tough time of it on Saturday.”
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Huw Jones
Rebels:
15. Mike Harris, 14. Cam Crawford, 13. Dom Shipperley, 12. Mitch Inman, 11. Tom English, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 9. Nic Stirzaker, 8. Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 6. Sean McMahon, 5. Lopeti Timani, 4. Luke Jones, 3. Paul Alo-Emile, 2. Pat Leafa, 1. Cruze Ah-Nau
Substitutes: 16. Tom Sexton, 17. Keita Inagaki, 18. Laurie Weeks, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Colby Fainga’a, 22. Luke Burgess, 23. Bryce Hegarty