Stormers unleash Bok beef on Lions
Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers will lead a very strong Stormers team to take on the Lions in a Super Rugby Round Two encounter in Johannesburg on Saturday.
There are six internationals in the starting XV, but it is the pack that contains most of the Bok muscle.
Schalk Burger will line in the No.7 jersey, as part of an all-Springbok loose trio – alongside Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermeulen.
Only three starting players will be on Super Rugby debut, with a further two debutants on the bench for the Stormers.
Former WP age-group star Kobus van Wyk has been rewarded for his outstanding pre-season form with a place on the wing and Michael van der Spuy will partner Jean de Villiers at centre in the absence of injured Bok midfielder Juan de Jongh.
Argentine lock Manuel Carizza will spearhead the Stormers’ line-out in his first taste of Super Rugby action.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis will make his first Super Rugby appearance for the Stormers, having starred in the No.10 jersey for the Southern Kings last year.
On the bench Oliver Kebble will provide prop cover and fellow young gun Ryno Eksteen (recently named in the SA Under-20 training squad) will serve as the additional outside back – both players also being on Super Rugby debut.
Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Michael van der Spuy, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Damian de Allende, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Ryno Eksteen.
Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
