Stormers unveil their new captain
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have named a new captain for the final match of their Australasian tour.
Loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff will captain the Stormers against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
Kitshoff takes over the captaincy from Siya Kolisi, who is being rested for the match.
The experienced Kitshoff will line up alongside hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi and tighthead prop Wilco Louw in the front row.
Salmaan Moerat and Cobus Wiese form a new lock partnership – with Johan du Toit on the replacements bench.
Ernst van Rhyn will make his Stormers debut at openside flank in place of Kolisi, with Kobus van Dyk and Jaco Coetzee retaining their places in the loose trio.
The only change to the backline sees scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies back in the starting line-up, while wing Seabelo Senatla is set to make his first appearance of the season from the replacements bench.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is determined to end their tour on a high in Melbourne on Friday.
“Our focus this week is on being as accurate as possible in everything that we do in order to make the most of our opportunities,” Fleck said.
“The players have worked hard again this week as we look to end our tour on a high note,” he added.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Ernst van Rhyn (Stormers debut), 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Date: Friday, April 12
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.45 (11.45 SA time; 09.45 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
