Jantjes back at 15 for Vodacom Stormers
In the only other change to the match 22 Adriaan Fondse will be starting at lock in place of Francois van der Merwe. The former Bulls lock made his Stormers debut last week when he went on as replacement for Van der Merwe, but this week he will get his first start.
Van der Merwe will be on the substitutes’ bench.
Jantjes missed the first match against the Bulls at Newlands the past Saturday, but for this weekend’s game he replaces Gio Aplon at fullback. Aplon now is one of the reserves.
Coach Rassie Erasmus last week said Jantjes was ready to play against the Bulls after hand surgery late last year, but he was a bit concerned about his match fitness and felt he needed another week.
Aplon had a very good game against the Bulls and Erasmus admitted it was a difficult choice. “Gio had an awesome game (against the Bulls), but Conrad is the number one fullback in the country, seeing that he played for the Springboks at the end of last year.”
Erasmus said Jantjes “has a big boot, he communicates well and has the experience and offers us great leadership.” He added that Aplon was unfortunate, as he performed well against the Bulls.
Good news for Stormers fans is that talismanic flank Schalk Burger was ready and raring to go after suffering a rib injury against the Bulls. He was back at training on Wednesday morning after returning from Russia at six the same morning.
He was there to receive the Laureas Sport Awarard for Team of the Year as a member of the South African World Cup winning squad. According to media manager Frikkie Erasmus Burger has shown no signs of the injury.
The Vodacom Stormers team is as follows:
15. Conrad Jantjes
14. Tonderai Chavhanga
13. Gcobani Bobo
12. Jean De Villiers (C)
11. Sireli Naqelevuki
10. Peter Grant
9. Ricky Januarie
8. Luke Watson
7 Francois Louw
6. Schalk Burger
5. Andries Bekker
4. Adriaan Fondse
3. Brian Mujati
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. JD Moller
Reserves
16. Schalk Brits
17. Brok Harris
18. Francois Van Der Merwe
19. Ross Skeate
20. Bolla Conradie
21. Gio Aplon
22. Dylan Des Fountain
