Another Bok blow for Stormers
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springboks Damian Willemse will miss the Stormers’ Super Rugby match fixture against the Sunwolves.
Wing Edwill van der Merwe has been named in the starting XV, while lock David Meihuizen and flank Chris Massyn are on the replacements bench for the clash against the Japanese team.
Former Junior Springbok star and prolific Maties try-scorer Van der Merwe features out wide in place of Seabelo Senatla, who is recovering from concussion.
While Dillyn Leyds shifts to fullback in place of the injured Willemse and Craig Barry takes his place on the right wing.
Dan Kriel is in at inside centre for Damian de Allende who is being rested as part of the Springbok management plan.
Jean-Luc du Plessis starts at flyhalf, while Jano Vermaak and EW Viljoen both make their return to the Stormers via the replacements bench.
Captain Steven Kitshoff is joined by Frans Malherbe and a fit-again Bongi Mbonambi in the front row, while Chris van Zyl also makes his return from injury to link up with Cobus Wiese in the second row.
Jaco Coetzee will be at the back of the scrum, with Johan du Toit and Ernst van Rhyn on the flanks. Meihuizen and Massyn, who have both shown their worth for Western Province in the Provincial Rugby Challenge, are set to make their debut from the replacements bench.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his side is looking forward to playing at Newlands this weekend.
“We always get incredible support at Newlands, which the team has responded to well in recent home games so we want to deliver another good performance in front of our fans.
“We will need to bring plenty of energy, but at the same time be as composed and accurate as possible in all that we do. We look forward to the challenge,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Josh Stander, 23 EW Viljoen.
Date: Saturday, June 8
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT, 00.15 Sunday, June 9 Japan time)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
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