Notshe to bring up DHL Stormers 50 at DHL Newlands

Loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe will play his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby game for the DHL Stormers when they take on the Emirates Lions at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

Having made his debut against the Reds in 2014, the 24-year-old Notshe has wasted little time in reaching his DHL Stormers half-century and will lead the team out at DHL Newlands for kick-off at 17h15 on Saturday.

Notshe’s inclusion at No.8 comes as part of a new loose forward combination, with captain Siya Kolisi back in the starting team and Kobus van Dyk shifting to blindside flank. Cobus Wiese and Nizaam Carr will provide cover on the replacements bench.

The only other change to the starting forward pack comes in the second row, with Jan de Klerk in for Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was ruled out due to illness.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi and loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff are both back from injury and will feature among the replacements.

The only change to the backline sees Raymond Rhule on the left wing in place of Seabelo Senatla, who has returned to the Springbok Sevens squad, with EW Viljoen and Craig Barry providing cover on the replacements bench.

DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team are intent on delivering a complete performance at DHL Newlands.

“It is great to be back at DHL Newlands this weekend for what should be another big game.

“Our focus is to be as accurate as possible and execute our plans so that we are able to impose ourselves,” he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (50th DHL Stormers cap), 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 EW Viljoen, 23 Craig Barry.