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)
