Willemse booted out of No.10 role
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have made several changes for their coastal Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
In the forward pack tighthead prop Frans Malherbe and lock Salmaan Moerat are both back in the starting line-up, with Cobus Wiese coming onto the replacements bench and expected to make an impact in the second half.
There are two new flanks in Ernst van Rhyn and Johan du Toit, who replaces his injured brother Pieter-Steph.
In the backline flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis makes his first start of the campaign, with Damian Willemse at fullback and Dillyn Leyds on the wing, while centre Rikus Pretorius is among the replacements along with scrumhalf Paul de Wet and wing Sergeal Petersen.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team are determined to bring plenty of energy to the contest following their bye.
“The bye was a good chance to look at our game and we want to see some growth in a few different areas on Saturday.
“South African derbies are always tough games and we are looking forward to the different challenges we will face this weekend,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Divan Uys (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
