Barry ready to lead from front

And Bolla Conradie gets his chance at scrumhalf in place of captain Neil de Kock. Another feature of the side that has been announced on Wednesday is the inclusion of newly recruited hooker Lukas van Biljon on the substitutes’ bench.

The fearless Barry will make his first appearance as Stormers captain and on Wednesday he said that was something he was looking forward to.

“I’ve been captain in the warm-up games, but never in a competition game. It is a nice challenge.”

The new captain said he is not much of a talker, but will try and lead by example. “I am obviously there to make decisions, but I expect all the guys to take responsibility for their own positions.

“At this stage everybody knows exactly what to do. That will leave me to lead from the front with my game and keep the guys together. Adri (Badenhorst, vice-captain) is there to support me and that is a reassuring thought.”

Coach Gert Smal has every reason to have confidence in Barry, one of the hard man of South African rugby. Smal said Barry has shown a lot of the characteristics of Corne Krige, the Stormers’ex-captain.

“De Wet has the characteristics that Corne Krige had. He has a never-say-die attitude and he will be leading from the front.

“De Wet has a lot of experience of Super 12 rugby and he will be calm under pressure. I believe he will do a good job for us on Saturday.”