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Ton-up for Stormers' Grant

Cape Town - Peter Grant will start at flyhalf for the Stormers against the Western Force at Newlands on Saturday in what will be his 100th match for the Super Rugby franchise.

Grant moves from inside centre to the No 10 jersey in one of five changes to the starting line-up that went down 28-12 to the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend and will become just the third-ever Stormers Super Rugby centurion.

Grant follows in the footsteps of Andries Bekker (105) and Jean de Villiers (104) in playing 100 matches for the Stormers, having first played for Western Province in 2004 and making his Stormers debut in 2006.

With Grant set to join the ’100-Club’, prop Brok Harris will make his 200th appearance for Western Province Rugby on Saturday - having amassed 92 Stormers caps and making another 107 appearances for Western Province. Harris made his WP debut in 2006 and his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers in 2007.

Grant’s shift from No 12 to No 10 is one of two positional changes to the starting line-up this weekend - the other seeing Damian de Allende move from the right-wing to his favourite position of inside centre.

Schalk Burger retains the captaincy, with regular skipper Jean de Villiers still sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Burger, though, is also struggling with a back injury, but has been named in the starting team. He will have until Friday to prove his fitness.

Siya Kolisi will come into the team if Burger is unable to play, with Deon Fourie likely to take over as captain.

Other changes to the starting line-up to face the Force this week see the return - from injury - of lock Michael Rhodes and wing Kobus van Wyk, whilst Fourie will start at hooker in place of the injured Scarra Ntubeni.

Rhodes replaces debutant Jean Kleyn in the No 4 shirt, whilst Van Wyk’s return in the No 14 jersey has allowed De Allende to move back into the midfield against the in-form Australian franchise.

Kleyn, meanwhile, drops to the bench this week, where he is joined by flyhalf Kurt Coleman who started against the Highlanders and the Bulls.

Hooker Stephan Coetzee, prop Martin Dreyer, loose forward Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Dylon Frylinck and utility back Michael van der Spuy make up the remainder of the bench, with Frylinck still on debut should he get a run this week.

“We’re aware of the threat posed by the Force. They’re a well-organised team and will test us across the board," coach Allister Coetzee told the Stormers' official website.

“We’re happy to have Michael Rhodes and Kobus van Wyk back this week, whilst it’s a special moment for Peter Grant who will wear the No 10 jersey in his 100th match for the Stormers.

“Peter and Brok Harris - who will play his 200th match for the union - have been loyal servants and they deserve to be in the limelight this week. Hopefully we can make it a special day for both of them come Saturday.”

Kick-off for Saturday's clash is at 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:

TBA

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