Cape Town - There are two backline changes in the Stormers team to face the Brumbies at Newlands on Saturday (19:15 kick-off).
Nic Groom will make his first start of the 2016 Super Rugby season at scrumhalf, with Jano Vermaak sitting out due to a neck injury, and he is joined in the starting line-up by wing Kobus van Wyk who is returning from an ankle injury.
Experienced scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and young speedster Leolin Zas are the two changes to the bench as head coach Robbie Fleck opts for continuity in his forward pack.
Fleck would like to see his team build on the positive signs that they have shown early in the season against what is a tough Brumbies side.
“I have been encouraged by the positive intent our players have shown so far, and this is another great opportunity to test ourselves against a strong team,” Fleck told the Stormers’ official website.
“We are developing as a team, and hope to take another step
forward in what will be another great battle at Newlands.
Teams:
Stormers
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Leolin Zas
Brumbies
15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (co-captain), 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Robbie Coleman, 23 Nigel Ah Wong