Viljoen, Britz start for Sunwolves

Cape Town - New Sunwolves head coach Filo Tiatia has named a new-look side to tackle the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby opener in Tokyo on Saturday (06:15 (SA time).

South African utility back Riaan Viljoen will start at fullback, while he is joined on the wings by new signings Takaaki Nakazuru from Suntory Sungoliath and Kenki Fukuoka from Panasonic Wild Knights.

In midfield, New Zealand-born Derek Carpenter starts at inside centre with new recruit Timothy Lafaele starts in the No 13 jersey.

At halfback, another new signing Hikaru Tamura takes the No 10 jersey, with Keisuke Uchida starting at No 9.

Former Cheetahs loose forward Willie Britz starts No 8, with Ed Quirk in the No 7 jersey and Malgene Ilaua at blindside flank.

Ex-Western Force second-rower Sam Wykes will scrum down in the No 5 jersey, while he will bind up with Liaki Moli.

In the front-row, Sunwolves leader Shota Horie will start at hooker, with Heiichiro Ito and Masataka Mikami on either side of him.

Teams:

Sunwolves

15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Takaaki Nakazuru, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Hikaru Tamura, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Edward Quirk, 6 Malgene Ilaua, 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Heiichiro Ito, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Masataka Mikami

Substitutes: 16 Takeshi Hino, 17 Koki Yamamoto, 18 Takuma Asahara, 19 Kotaro Yatabe, 20 Shokei Kin, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Ryohei Yamanaka, 23 Shota Emi

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Otere Black, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves

Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ben May, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Reed Prinsep, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Vince Aso