DHL Stormers change it up for Durban trip

The DHL Stormers have made several changes for their coastal Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

The DHL Stormers are back in action at 15h05 on Saturday as they travel to Durban following their bye week.

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.

DHL 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.

DHL 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.