Boks to make Stormers debuts
Lock Du Toit and scrumhalf Vermaak take their place in the starting line-up for the blockbuster opening match, while experienced prop JC Janse van Rensburg is also in line to make his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers should he take the field from the replacements bench.
Joining Janse van Rensburg amongst the replacements are promising youngsters JD Schickerling and Leolin Zas who will make their Super Rugby debut should they get the opportunity.
Juan de Jongh will lead the team from inside centre, with his fellow co-captain Frans Malherbe set to make an impact off the replacements bench as he works his way back from an ankle injury.
De Jongh will link up with Johnny Kotze in midfield, with Robert du Preez earning his second Super Rugby cap, and his first at flyhalf.
In the loose trio stalwart Schalk Burger is joined by No.8 Nizaam Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe in the first match of his final season with the Stormers, with Siya Kolisi starting on the bench having recently returned to full training following a calf strain.
In the second row Du Toit is paired with Eben Etzebeth in an exciting new lock partnership, and in the front row props Oliver Kebble and Vincent Koch get an opportunity to start alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his side is determined to rise to the occasion in their highly anticipated opening game.
"We have put in plenty of hard work in the build-up to this game, and we are excited to get out there in front of what should be a fantastic crowd, as ever at Newlands," he said.
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Leolin Zas.
Date: Saturday, February 27
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
