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Stormers turn to rookie

Western Province Vodacom Cup star Devon Williams will make his first start for the Stormers when the team travels to Bloemfontein.

The Stormers take on the Cheetahs in Super Rugby Round 11 match on Saturday.

Williams made his debut off the bench in last weekend's 18-3 win over the Lions.

However, he will start in the No.11 jersey this week in the absence of Fijian import Sailosi Tagicakibau, who has not shaken off a sternum injury.

The 22-year-old Williams, a product of Paarl Boys' High, was part of the Western Province Under-21 team that won the national age-group competition last year.

He is also the top try-scorer in the 2014 Vodacom Cup, with nine tries in just six games.

Williams and fullback Jaco Taute are the new faces in the starting line-up, with Peter Grant moving back into the No.10 shirt in the absence of Demetri Catrakilis (broken nose).

Prop Oliver Kebble, flank Schalk Burger, flyhalf Kurt Coleman and wing Kobus van Wyk have all been named on the bench this week.

Kebble (knee), Burger (quad) and Van Wyk (abductor muscle) are all back to full fitness this week.

However, hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni (calf muscle) and wing Cheslin Kolbe (knee) are still another week away from returning to the fray.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said they are expecting a physical battle.

"The Cheetahs team is always tough to play against in Bloemfontein," Coetzee said.

"The Cheetahs are just behind us at the bottom of the standings, with one win and a draw, so both teams will be desperate to come away with a victory in our second all-South African derby in the space of just a week."

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Devon Williams, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Kobus van Wyk.

Date: Saturday, April 25

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)

TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)

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