De Kock back to lead Investec Stormers

De Kock takes over from Bolla Conradie and also resumes the leadership mantle, held by De Wet Barry for the past five games.

De Kock’s return at scrumhalf is the only change to the side that beat the Cats at Newlands last Saturday.

“Bolla has had a good five weeks, but I’d like to finish with the captain in my line-up. There is nothing sinister about it,” commented coach Gert Smal.

Gaffie du Toit was down with the flu and missed Tuesday’s training session, but Smal was hopeful that his flyhalf would be ready to take on the Bulls.

Smal said the Stormers are keen to do well in their last game. His proud record of never having lost to a South African side in the Super 12 is at stake, but the coach said that won’t be the only motivational factor.

“The match has a lot of significance for me and I would like to end on a high with my record intact. But, like I said before, those are just statistics. We need to put a good game together.”

In the only other change to the 22 that did duty last Saturday, prop Riaan Olckers is back on the substitutes’bench in place of Pat Barnard.

The Investec Stormers team is as follows:
15. Breyton Paulse
14. Tonderai Chavhanga
13. Jean De Villiers
12. De Wet Barry
11. Gus Theron
10. Gaffie Du Toit
9. Neil De Kock (C)
8. Joe Van Niekerk
7 Schalk Burger
6. Luke Watson
5. Gerrie Britz
4. Andries Bekker
3. Faan Rautenbach
2. Hanyani Shimange
1. Eddie Andrews

Reserves

16. Lukas Van Biljon
17. Riaan Olckers
18. Rob Linde
19. David Hendriks
20. Bolla Conradie
21. Marius Joubert
22. Tiger Mangweni.