Cilliers to start at loosehead prop
Cilliers comes in for the suspended Steven Kitshoff in the No.1 jersey in one of two changes to the Stormers starting line-up that claimed a 35-22 win over the previously unbeaten Brumbies this past weekend.
The other change is also in the front row, with hooker Tiaan Liebenberg (elbow) a late injury-victim. Liebenberg suffered torn ligaments in his elbow and will be out of action for six weeks which means he will miss the DHL Stormers’ tour of Australasia.
For this weekend, Currie Cup-winning captain Deon Fourie will start in the No.2 jersey for the Stormers, with Martin Bezuidenhout being named amongst the replacements once again.
Bezuidenhout, who is on loan from the Lions this season, will be joined on the bench by the experienced Brok Harris (77 Super Rugby appearances) – who, in turn, will be part of a Stormers matchday squad for the first time this year.
Speaking about the challenge of facing the Crusaders, who have beaten the Stormers in their last three encounters, coach Allister Coetzee said: “They’re a top quality side – they’re the Crusaders after all, a side that’s won many competitions.
“Against a quality side like the Crusaders you have to make sure that your basics are working well. Your set-piece needs to function well because they are like the Brumbies and if you give them the ball you don’t see it for a period,” added the Stormers boss.
“You are not just going to put them under pressure and turn the ball over you have got to really work hard and look after yours.”
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Crusaders is as follows:
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gio Aplon
13. Juan de Jongh
12. Jean de Villiers (captain)
11. Gerhard van den Heever
10. Elton Jantjies
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain)
7. Rynhardt Elstadt
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Andries Bekker*
4. De Kock Steenkamp
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Deon Fourie
1. Pat Cilliers
Reserves:
16. Martin Bezuidenhout
17. Brok Harris
18. Don Armand
19. Nizaam Carr
20. Nic Groom
21. Damian de Allende
22. Jaco Taute
Referee: Craig Joubert
* Lock Andries Bekker will be playing in his 99th match for the DHL Stormers.
