The DHL Stormers Bolts have made several changes for their encounter with Fidelity ADT Lions U20 in Johannesburg on Saturday.
They will run out at 10bets Ellis Park at 12h00 on Saturday for what should be a crucial match between two teams level on log points. This will be the DHL Stormers Bolts’ last away game, with home games against the Leopards U20 at DHL Stadium and the Toyota Cheetahs U20 at City Park still to come.
Injuries to wing Jack Benade and utility back Meyer Prinsloo have forced some changes to the backline, with Luca Potgieter joined by Kobus Blanckenberg in midfield and Randall-John Davids and Freek de Kock on the wings.
The only other changes to the starting team come up front, with hooker Almero Keizer and prop Unaye Mndau switching places with Altus Rabe and Zak Hickman, who move to the replacements bench in a rotational switch.
Head Coach Johno van der Walt said that this will be a crucial match in the context of their season.
“It is very tight at the top between the top three teams, so with a home Semi-Final place on the line we need to finish the season strong.
“That starts on Saturday in Joburg where a win will set us up nicely ahead of the last two home games.
“There are some changes, but every player coming in has shown what they can do for us this season, so we will be going all-out to get the result,” he said.
DHL Stormers Bolts: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Randall-John Davids, 13 Luca Potgieter, 12 Kobus Blanckenberg, 11 Freek de Kock, 10 Dawid Badenhorst, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Aden da Costa (captain), 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Wihan Kotze, 5 Dominic Sesink-Clee, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Almero Keizer, 1 Unaye Mndau.
Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Zak Hickman, 18 Lukho Mtwana, 19 Zander van Zyl, 20 Alexander Smith, 21 Quintin Potgieter, 22 Tyrone Gombe, 23 Olunje Mehlomakulu.
