Bok trio boost DHL Stormers
The DHL Stormers have been boosted by the return of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende in the team to play the Crusaders at DHL Newlands on Saturday.
The three Springboks are back in the starting line-up for the encounter against the defending Vodacom Super Rugby champions, which kicks off at 17h15 on Saturday.
GALLERY | Go behind the scenes with the DHL Stormers
Tickets for this clash are still available online at wprugby.computicket.com, any Computicket outlet and the stadium box office.
There will be a SuperSport Rugby Challenge curtain-raiser between DHL Western Province and Zimbabwe Academy which kicks off at 14h30, with gates opening at 14h10.
De Allende takes his place in midfield alongside flyhalf Joshua Stander, with Jean-Luc du Plessis and Dan Kriel on the replacements bench.
In the forward pack Kolisi and Du Toit are on the flanks with Jaco Coetzee at the back of the scrum, while Cobus Wiese starts in the second row next to Eben Etzebeth.
The only front row change comes on the replacements bench, with the experienced Frans Malherbe set to provide an impact in the second half.
DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is looking forward to playing at DHL Newlands again.
“We have a good home record and this is another great opportunity for us to perform in front of our supporters.
“We have put the hard work in on the training pitch and we want to ensure we are focused on Saturday so that we can be as accurate as possible,” he said.
Captain Kolisi said that his team is looking forward to an electric atmosphere at DHL Newlands. Urging fans to stand together and attend he said: “We know that we will get great support from the DHL Newlands Faithful and will do everything we can to get the win for them.”.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan Kriel.
