Two changes to Stormers starting XV

Cape Town - Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has made two changes to his starting line-up for their Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday (17:15 kick-off).

Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak has been ruled out after leaving the field with concussion in the 53-10 victory over Cheetahs at Newlands last week. He is replaced by the experienced Dewaldt Duvenage, with Justin Phillips providing cover on the bench.

The only change to the forward pack sees a fit-again Wilco Louw take his place at tighthead prop alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who earns his 50th Super Rugby cap.

The changes amongst the replacements see Phillips and lock Jan de Klerk get an opportunity, whilst prop Frans Malherbe is also set to provide impact when called upon.

Fleck said that the players are looking forward to standing together with the Newlands faithful for what should be an intense match between two unbeaten sides.

“The players have all put in a lot of hard work and we cannot wait to test ourselves against the Chiefs this weekend,” Fleck said.

“There should be an incredible atmosphere at Newlands on Saturday, so we are very excited about what lies ahead.”

Teams:

Stormers

15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Cobus Wiese, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (vice-captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Substitutes: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel

Chiefs

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames

Substitutes: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Mitchell Brown, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Sam McNicol, 23 Shaun Stevenson