Du Plessis on DHL Stormers debut against Cheetahs

Daniel du Plessis will make his DHL Stormers debut in the Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Toyota Cheetahs at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

The talented young midfielder, who has been in excellent form for DHL Western Province, comes into the team at outside centre with Juan de Jongh who is sidelined with a back strain, while Johnny Kotze moves to the replacements bench in place of the injured Huw Jones.

In the forward pack Sikhumbuzo Notshe will start at No.8 in place of Schalk Burger who has not recovered from a foot injury, with JD Schickerling providing lock cover from the bench.

DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is fully focused on returning to winning ways back on home turf at DHL Newlands.

“The last few weeks have been quite frustrating for us, so we are focused on delivering a convincing performance for our faithful supporters at DHL Newlands.

“We have worked very hard this week and the players are determined to show what we are capable of when we get it right,” he said.

Saturday is the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, and the DHL Stormers will be wearing pink armbands in support of PinkDrive to raise awareness of Breast Cancer.

The curtain-raiser at DHL Newlands between DHL Western Province and ORC Griquas will kick-off at 12h00 and not 12h15 as originally scheduled.

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

Referee: Glen Jackson