Kebble gets Stormers start
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Oliver Kebble has been named in the Stormers starting XV for the first time, as the Cape outfit prepare to take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Kebble is named at No.1 with outstanding performer Steven Kitshoff earning a well-deserved rest.
Meanwhile, fit-again back Dillyn Leyds has been named in the Stormers' line-up.
Leyds slots back into the No.11 jersey after missing his team’s hard-fought 15-13 win over the Bulls last Saturday because of a shoulder injury, with Pat Howard dropping out of the matchday 23 this week.
The return of Leyds is one of just three changes to the line-up that started against the Bulls, with prop Kitshoff and lock Eben Etzebeth both being rested – the latter as part of the SA Franchise teams’ agreements with SA Rugby.
Jean Kleyn will make his 12th appearance in a Stormers jersey when he lines up alongside Ruan Botha.
Prop Alistair Vermaak and lock Manuel Carizza return to the matchday 23 this week (on the bench), whilst starting tighthead prop Frans Malherbe and replacement scrumhalf Louis Schreuder are both set to win their 50th caps for the Stormers.
The Stormers are currently on a three-game winning streak, but have not won in Bloemfontein since 2012, with their record against the Cheetahs at Super Rugby level at the Free State Stadium reading as follows: played six, won three, lost three.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said: “We will have the same mindset for this weekend as we do for all South African Derbies.
"We understand how tough these games are and we know we need to pitch up.
“The Cheetahs pushed the in-form Lions in Johannesburg last week, they’re a good side – especially in Bloemfontein – and we know this will be a tough match.”
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Oliver Kebble.Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones.
Date: Saturday, May 2
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
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