Burger back for Stormers
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The Stormers have made just three changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's all-South African Super Rugby meeting with the Lions at Newlands.
The Stormers can secure a third South African Conference title with a victory against the in-form Lions and the return of Schalk Burger, from a week's rest – as per the SARU rest agreement, will boost the home side significantly.
Burger's return sees Nizaam Carr drop down to the bench, with Sikhumbuzo Notshe, a try-scorer off the bench against the Cheetahs last weekend, missing out altogether.
Joining Burger back in the starting line-up are hooker Bongi Mbonambi (in for the injured Siyabonga Ntubeni) and tighthead prop Frans Malherbe, who swaps with Vincent Koch.
Koch drops down to the bench where he is joined by two members of the Western Province Vodacom Cup team, hooker Michael Willemse and utility back Jaco Taute – adding to a strong group of replacements, which also includes Oliver Kebble, Jean Kleyn, Carr, Louis Schreuder and Kurt Coleman.
Speaking about the strength of the Stormers' bench, coach Allister Coetzee said: "I thought a guy like Nizaam [Carr] played superbly against the Cheetahs last week and he will add something from the bench this week, as will the two new faces [Willemse and Taute].
"Guys like Oli [Kebble], Vincent [Koch], Jean [Kleyn], Louis [Schreuder] and Kurt [Coleman] are equally capable of playing starting roles for us.
"In a competition like this you need a strong replacements bench and I am satisfied with our final selection in what was a tough selection week with the Springbok training camp and the return to fitness of some players."
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Jaco Taute.
Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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