The DHL Stormers Bolts have been boosted by the inclusion of five players who featured in the Carling Currie Cup for their encounter with Vodacom Bulls U20 in Athlone on Saturday.
Fullback Dylan Miller and lock Tom Barnard will make their DHL Stormers Bolts debuts in the clash with the Pretoria side, which kicks off at 12h00 on Saturday at City Park.
Flank Gert Kemp, prop Danie Kruger and hooker Altus Rabe are the three other players in the starting XV who played for the DHL Stormers XXIII in the Carling Currie Cup.
Flank Alutha Wesi and wing Pretorius Ekeji have both been ruled out with ankle injuries, while wing Jordan Steenkamp has a hamstring strain that will keep him from playing.
Head Coach Johnathan van der Walt said that the players coming in have injected plenty of enthusiasm ahead of a crucial game.
“While we have lost some good players to injury, we also have some quality joining us and they have all made a real impact at training.
“Hopefully we see a positive influence in what is a huge game in the context of our season. We are at home and keen to make the most of every advantage we can this weekend,” he said.
DHL Stormers Bolts: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Luca Potgieter, 12 Randall-John Davids, 11 Meyer Prinsloo, 10 Dawid Badenhorst, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Aden da Costa (captain), 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Wihan Kotze, 5 Dominic Sesink-Clee, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Altus Rabe, 1 Zak Hickman.
Replacements: 16 Almero Keizer, 17 Unaye Mndau, 18 Lukho Mtwana, 19 Zander van Zyl, 20 Alexander Smith, 21 Quintin Potgieter, 22 Tyrone Gombe, 23 Kobus Blankenberg.
