Kolbe provides pivotal Stormers cover
Kolbe, who has experience as a playmaker – albeit in the Sevens format – will start at fullback but could slot into the No.10 role during the match. Du Plessis has been handed his starting debut in the flyhalf role and is the only specialist No.10 in the matchday 23.
"Cheslin [Kolbe] covering flyhalf is quite exciting for many people. He has done a bit of the play making role for the [Springbok] Sevens – which is a different game different game – but I know he has the ability to do it.
"As a fullback, he comes into first receiver a huge amount and he certainly has the qualities to play flyhalf. He has the passing and the kicking game but just needs to have the control. It is definitely an exciting ploy for us because it is something different.
"His magic feet and speed makes him a real threat in that first channel, so it doesn't matter about the time he has had there [playing at flyhalf] but more that he has been involved in that channel in the competition already.
"In the past, teams have had to make dramatic decisions in terms of replacing individuals and it has worked in their favour so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it goes," Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said.
Fleck also ruled out the possibility of bringing players in from outside the setup and has reiterated that he will continue to throw his weight behind blooding the young players in the system.
"Part of the long term plan is that we will continue to invest in our youngsters. We still have Brandon Thompson, who has played for me in the Western Province Under-21 side, in the system. We never brought him in this week because he hasn't trained with us for the last month," he added.
Further changes to the starting XV sees Louis Schreuder start at scrumhalf and Schalk Burger switch places with Nizaam Carr at No.8. With Eben Etzebeth missing he encounter due to injury, JD Schickerling partners Pieter-Steph du Toit at lock while the rotation policy among the props continues.
Rynhardt Elstadt is back in the Stormers fold, providing lock and flank cover from the bench while Godlen Masimla and Huw Jones is drafted in to cover at scrumhalf and fullback respectively. Springbok centre Damian de Allende also makes a welcome return to the matchday 23 after recovering from his ankle injury.
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Damian de Allende.
Date: Friday, April 8
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT, 02.00 Saturday, April 9 JST)
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
By Tauriq Ebrahim
