Loosehead prop Vernon Matongo will start for the DHL Stormers XXIII against the Lions XV in Johannesburg on Friday.
Matongo makes his return from a pectoral injury and will feature for the first time in the SA Rugby U23 Cup as the DHL Stormers XXIII end the league phase of the competition in a match against the log-leaders, which kicks off at 13h00 on Friday at Ellis Park.
Matongo will pack down in the front row alongside hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela and tighthead prop Herman Lubbe, with Veronon Paulo, Mhleli Khuzwayo and Hencus van Wyk among the replacements.
The only other change to the starting pack sees Wandile Mlaba start at No.8, with Alutha Wesi back in the starting line-up at openside flank this week.
In the backline, Dominic Malgas is at flyhalf, with Luke Burger at inside centre alongside skipper Josh Boulle and Joel Leotlela on the left wing.
Head coach Labeeb Levy said that his team will be going all-out to end the league phase of the SA Rugby U23 Cup on a high away from home.
“We know that qualification for the final is out of our hands, but we want to put together a complete performance regardless of other results.
“It will be a challenge to go up to Johannesburg and become the first team to beat the Lions XV this season, but it is one that the whole team and management has embraced this week,” he said.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 JC Mars, 13 Josh Boulle (captain), 12 Luke Burger*, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Alutha Wesi, 5 Gary Porter*, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela*, 1 Vernon Matongo*.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo*, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk*, 19 Adam de Waal, 20 Roland van der Heever*, 21 Aden da Costa, 22 Asad Moos, 23 Kyle Smith.
