DHL Stormers break new ground in Singapore

DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck has named his team for the DHL Stormers’ first-ever match in Singapore against the Sunwolves on Saturday.

There are just two changes to the backline that did duty in the clash with the Waratahs at DHL Newlands, with Johnny Kotze replacing Leolin Zas on the wing and Louis Schreuder getting a chance to start at scrumhalf with Nic Groom on the replacements bench.

In the front row hooker Scarra Ntubeni makes his first start since his return from injury, with Bongi Mbonambi set to make an impact in the second half.

Lock JD Schickerling comes back into the starting line-up as well, with Rynhardt Elstadt shifting to flank alongside Siya Kolisi and Nizaam Carr who moves to the back of the scrum.

Fleck said that after the bye his team are desperate to get back to winning ways, and will embrace the occasion in Singapore.

“It is great for us to be here as the first DHL Stormers team to play in Singapore, but we have got a job to do and we are firmly focused on delivering an improved performance.

“The bye was good from a recovery point of view, but this phase of the competition is crucial for us and we have to hit the ground running against the Sunwolves,” he said.

*DHL Western Province will take on the EP Kings at City Park in Athlone at 16h00 on Saturday.

Tickets for will be available at the gate at R20 for adults and R10 for scholars, while season tickets for DHL Newlands will also be valid for the match.

DHL Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kobus van Wyk, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Huw Jones.

Referee: Paul Williams