Stormers without the world's best player
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Stormers starting line-up for the Rainbow Cup SA encounter with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
There are two changes in the backline and two in the forward pack, for the clash at Ellis Park.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies returns from injury in place of the injured Godlen Masimla, while Edwill van der Merwe is on the wing, having played off the replacements bench last week.
Willie Engelbrecht is at blindside flank in place of World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is being rested this week, while Ernst van Rhyn is at lock with Marvin Orie ruled out due to concussion protocols.
Prop Ali Vermaak, loose forward Juarno Augustus and flyhalf Tim Swiel have all been named among the replacements on their return from injury.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Allister Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Juarno Augustus, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tim Swiel.
Date: Saturday, May 15
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Morne Ferreira
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni
Four changes for DHL Stormers
✌️Two changes at the back and two up front
🥪Lunchtime kick-off in Joburg
💬’The team has trained well this week and we are determined to put together a cohesive effort’
👉Full team announcement https://t.co/7wVGfKKN4b#iamastormer #dhldeliversADVERTISEMENT— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 14, 2021
