Conrad set for start; Joe on bench

Jantjes replaces Gio Aplon, who defended the last line of defence in the Stormers last outing, against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Aplon is not in the match 22 for Saturday.

Jantjes did not play during the overseas leg of their Super 14 campaign, but played a match on Saturday for the Vodacom WP team and came through it with flying colours.

At Monday’s training session he looked in good shape. Coach Kobus van der Merwe commented: “Conrad is ready and looked sharp at training.”

Brent Russell is also fit again after having to withdraw from the game against the Crusaders due to a hamstring injury sustained in the week leading up to the match. He will be on the bench.

Corné Uys is another who recovered from injury. He too was forced to withdraw from the Crusaders game. He injured his pectoral muscle against the Waratahs the previous week and lost the race against time after he was selected for the Crusaders match.

He will be on the wing in place of Dylan des Fountain, who drops out of the match 22.

Jean de Villiers was selected at outside centre despite sitting out Monday’s training session with a groin strain.

Hooker Tiaan Liebenberg has also recovered from a hand injury and is back on the bench. Springbok Joe van Niekerk, who played for Vodacom WP after returning from injury, will join Liebenberg on the bench after two impressive outings at Vodacom Cup level.

The Stormers first-choice lock pairing of Andries Bekker and Gerrie Britz are also back after starting the last game on the bench. They take over from Ross Skeate and Francois van der Merwe.

Vodacom Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Corné Uys, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Bolla Conradie, 8 Justin Melck, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Luke Watson (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Gerrie Britz, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 JD Moller.

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Ross Skeate, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 JP Joubert, 21 JP Naas Olivier, 22 Brent Russell.