Get Newsletter

Bashful changes for Stormers

Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee made five changes to his team for Saturday's Super Rugby meeting with the Brumbies in Canberra.

One of the five changes is positional, with Gio Aplon shifting from wing to fullback, meaning a first-ever Stormers start for Fijian Sailosi Tagicakibau (at No.11), with Peter Grant coming in at flyhalf for Demetri Catrakilis.

Grant, affectionately known as Bash by his teammates, will make his 93rd appearance for the Stormers.

It will also be his first start of 2014.

Fit-again Springbok centre Juan de Jongh – who flew over to Sydney this week – will sit on the bench as he looks for his first taste of action this season.

Up front, meanwhile, fit-again tighthead prop Frans Malherbe (toe injury) takes over from Brok Harris in the No.3 jersey – with the latter reverting to the bench.

Michael Rhodes (shoulder) is back in the mix as the lock replacement for De Kock Steenkamp, who flew home with a groin injury earlier this week.

"The Brumbies are a very physical team," Coetzee said, adding: They use direct runners off No.9, so we have to front up and put our bodies on the line.

"They're also a good kicking team.

"They use Jesse Mogg's left foot and [they use] Nic White's big right boot and then Matt Toomua has a massive kicking game too.

"But we've trained well in Sydney all week and we're looking forward to the challenge.

"Like I've said before, there is no place to hide in Super Rugby and our challenge is to win both our remaining games in Australia, starting with this weekend in Canberra against a very good Brumbies team."

Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Siya Kolisi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Demetri Catrakilis, 23 Juan de Jongh.

Date: Saturday, March 22

Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT; 10.40 SA time)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)

TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment