Coetzee hands Whitehead his debut

Coetzee made a few changes to the backline, most notably the inclusion of the young Tim Whitehead at inside centre in place of the injured Juan de Jongh.

De Jongh injured his elbow in the convincing victory over the Hurricanes the past Saturday and was not considered. Whitehead trained with the Stormers earlier this season and he leapfrogged more experienced campaigners such as Dylan des Fountain and Frikkie Welsh to don the Nr 12 jersey.

Peter Grant thus remains at flyhalf, with Willem de Waal making his first appearance on the substitutes’ bench after playing three games for the Vodacom Cup side. He takes over from Lionel Cronjé, who was not considered.

Exciting utility back Gio Aplon is also back in the starting XV where he replaces Sereli Naqelevuki at right wing.

The main fixture is preceded by a Vodacom Cup curtain raiser between Vodacom WP and the Border Bulldogs. Kick-off for this match is at 14h30.

Tickets are priced between R80 and R95 for seating, with standing room tickets R50. Tickets are currently on sale through Computicket outlets nationwide, online at www.computicket.com or via the Call Centre on 083 915 8000. The Newlands Box Office in Boundary Road will be open from Tuesday till Friday from 9am to 4pm, and on Saturday from 9am until kick-off.

The Vodacom Stormers team is as follows:

15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gio Aplon
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Tim Whitehead
11. Bryan Habana
10. Peter Grant
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Duane Vermeulen
7 Francois Louw
6. Schalk Burger (c)
5. Andries Bekker
4. Anton Van Zyl
3. Brok Harris
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Wicus Blaauw

Reserves

16. Deon Fourie
17. JC Kritzinger
18. De Kock Steenkamp
19. Pieter Louw
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Willem De Waal
22. Sireli Naqelevuki