Stormers unleash Rhule on Jaguares
Raymond Rhule, Carlu Sadie, George Whitehead and Johannes Engelbrecht are all set to make their first appearance for the Stormers, with Rhule starting on the left wing and prop Sadie, flyhalf Whitehead and utility back Engelbrecht among the replacements.
Rhule forms part of a dynamic back three with Seabelo Senatla and Dillyn Leyds, while Damian de Allende and EW Viljoen link up in midfield outside the halfback pairing of Dewaldt Duvenage and Damian Willemse.
Captain Siyamthanda Kolisi is joined by Nizaam Carr and Cobus Wiese in the loose trio, with lock pairing John Schickerling and Chris van Zyl starting behind an all-Springbok front row of Wilco Louw, Mbongeni Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is looking forward to getting the new season started at Newlands.
"The squad has put in a lot of hard work in preparation for this game, so hopefully we will see that pay off on Saturday.
"It is always great to start the season in front of our loyal fans at Newlands, so it should be another special occasion," he said.
Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 John Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Jacobus Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Kobus van Dyk, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Johannes Engelbrecht.
Date: Saturday, February 17
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.05 (15.05 GMT; 13.05 GMT; 10.05 Argentina Time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Egon Seconds
TMO: Christie du Preez
