Stormers bench some big guns
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers welcome back some experienced players for their Super Rugby North-South derby against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.
There are seven changes to the starting line-up – with four in the forward pack and three in the backline.
Siyamthanda Kolisi is back in the starting XV to lead the side, along with fellow Springboks Frans Malherbe and Damian de Allende – who were rested last week.
Malherbe is joined in the front row by hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni, alongside Steven Kitshoff – with Mbongeni Mbonambi and Wilco Louw among the replacements.
Lock John Schickerling returns from injury and starts in the second row, with Eben Etzebeth also making his return from the replacements bench.
In the backline, Jean-Luc du Plessis is back at flyhalf alongside inside centre De Allende, after both players were rested last week, with Johannes Engelbrecht at outside centre in place of the injured Ruhan Nel.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Johannes Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 John Schickerling, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Date: Saturday, April 27
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
