Du Toit and Vermaak to make DHL Stormers debut

Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jano Vermaak will both earn their first Vodacom Super Rugby caps for the DHL Stormers in the clash with the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

Lock Du Toit and scrumhalf Vermaak take their place in the starting line-up for the blockbuster opening match, while experienced prop JC Janse van Rensburg is also in line to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the DHL Stormers should he take the field from the replacements bench.

Joining Janse van Rensburg amongst the replacements are promising youngsters JD Schickerling and Leolin Zas who will make their Vodacom Super Rugby debut should they get the opportunity.

Juan de Jongh will lead the team from inside centre, with his fellow co-captain Frans Malherbe set to make an impact off the replacements bench as he works his way back from an ankle injury.

De Jongh will link up with Johnny Kotze in midfield, with Robert du Preez earning his second Vodacom Super Rugby cap, and his first at flyhalf.

In the loose trio stalwart Schalk Burger is joined by No.8 Nizaam Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe in the first match of his final season with the DHL Stormers, with Siya Kolisi starting on the bench having recently returned to full training following a calf strain.

In the second row Du Toit is paired with Eben Etzebeth in an exciting new lock partnership, and in the front row props Oli Kebble and Vincent Koch get an opportunity to start alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his side is determined to rise to the occasion in their highly anticipated opening game.

“We have put in plenty of hard work in the build-up to this game, and we are excited to get out there in front of what should be a fantastic crowd, as ever at DHL Newlands,” he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Leolin Zas.

Referee: Craig Joubert