Investec Stormers team to play Reds announced

The coach welcomed back from injury the Rossouw brothers, flyhalf Chris and wing Pieter, as well as hooker Pieter Dixon. Chris Rossouw has recovered from a broken nose sustained against the Brumbies and takes over from Gaffie du Toit, who played so well at No 10 against the Bulls.

Du Toit moves back to fullback, where Tonderai Chavhanga, another star against the Bulls, makes way. The Free State speedster reverts back to the substitutes’ bench.

The experienced Pieter Rossouw, who was out with neck trouble, is back at the expense of Gus Theron, who is not in the match 22.

Dixon, whose accurate throwing in at the lineouts could be a big bonus on Saturday, replaces the promising David Brits.

In another change to the side that beat the Bulls at Newlands in their last game before departing for Australia, Bolla Conradie gets a starting chance again. He replaces Neil de Kock, who will be on the bench.

Former SA under-21 prop Pat Barnard also gets a start, replacing the impressive Eddie Andrews at tighthead.

The return of the injured players were expected, as Smal earlier this week said he wants as much experience possible in the side. “This is a game we must target,” he said about the match against the battling Reds, who are in eleventh position on the points’ table.

Investec Stormers: 15 Gaffie du Toit, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 De Wet Barry, 11, Pieter Rossouw, 10, Chris Rossouw, 9 Bolla Conradie, 8 Adri Badenhorst, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Corné Krige (capt), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Quinton Davids, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 Daan Human.

Replacements: 16 David Brits, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Rob Linde, 19 Hendrik Gerber, 20 Neil de Kock, 21 Gavin Hume, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.