Stormers' big Boks are back
Two of the Stormers most influential Springboks, veteran loose forward Schalk Burger and captain Jean de Villiers, are back in the starting team for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs at Newlands.
Burger missed last weekend's 24-8 win over the Western Force, whilst De Villiers returns after a two-week lay-off.
The return of De Villiers sees Springbok training squad member Damian de Allende shift back onto the right wing, whilst Burger takes over the No.7 jersey from fellow Bok Siya Kolisi.
In other changes to the Stormers line-up this week, Kurt Coleman returns as the starting flyhalf and loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak – after two impressive performances from the bench – will make his first Super Rugby start.
Prop Brok Harris, loose forward Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Peter Grant and wing Kobus van Wyk all drop down to the replacements bench this week – where they are joined by prop Oliver Kebble, who is back after sitting out with concussion for two weeks.
The Stormers and Cheetahs have met 12 times since 2006, with the Stormers winning eight games and the Cheetahs emerging victorious on four occasions.
Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Dylon Frylinck, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Kobus van Wyk.
Date: Saturday, May 24
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
