Rautenbach in the lead against Cavaliers
Rautenbach is one of nine official DHL Stormers pre-season squad members in a youthful matchday group that has been pressed into action following injuries to Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza and Kobus van Wyk.
Star men Frans Malherbe, Ruan Botha, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr and Damian de Allende are also unavailable for selection this week, giving young talent like Jarryd Sage, Kyle Lombard and Luke van der Smit an opportunity in this annual fixture alongside DHL Stormers squad members EW Viljoen, Robert du Preez, Godlen Masimla, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, David Ribbans, Michael Willemse, Frans van Wyk, Oliver Kebble and Rautenbach.
SA Sevens stars Tshotsho Mbovane and Danwel Demas will give the DHL Stormers some pace and additional skill out wide, whilst former England Sevens ace Mat Turner has moved onto the bench for this encounter following the above-mentioned injuries in the playing group.
Newly-appointed DHL Western Province Absa Currie Cup coach, John Dobson, will take charge of this team come kick-off on Saturday, but DHL Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee will continue to help prepare the side in the lead-up, along with his assistant coaches Matt Proudfoot and Robbie Fleck.
* Meanwhile, a DHL Western Province Emerging team will take on a Boland Invitational XV in a curtain-raiser at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 14h00).
Jerome Paarwater will coach a team consisting of the union’s best non-contracted players – all of whom will have the opportunity of pushing for Vodacom Cup selection this season.
** CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for Saturday’s away game (from R50 to R80).
The DHL Stormers team to face the Boland Cavaliers is as follows:
15. EW Viljoen
14. Tshotsho Mbovane
13. Jarryd Sage
12. Kyle Lombard
11. Danwel Demas
10. Robert du Preez (vice-captain)
9. Godlen Masimla
8. Sikumbuzo Notshe
7. Luke van der Smit
6. Michael Willemse
5. Chris van Zyl
4. David Ribbans
3. Frans van Wyk
2. Neil Rautenbach (captain)
1. Oli Kebble
Replacements:
16. Liam Hendricks
17. Deacon Chowlse
18. Burger van Niekerk
19. Johan Momsen
20. Luke Stringer
21. Justin Phillips
22. SP Ferreira
23. Ryno Eksteen
24. Mat Turner
25. Shuiab Samaai
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Kick-off: 16h00
The DHL Western Province Emerging team to face Boland is as follows:
15. Heinrich Arendse (Young Stars)
14. Jaco van Wyk (Milnerton)
13. Lubabalo Quluba (Youn Peoples)
12. Eathan Coenraad (Bellville)
11. Steven Julies (Kraaifontein)
10. Shane Vallender (Hamilton’s – captain)
9. Niyaaz Jappie (SK Walmers)
8. Christie Niekerk (Kuils River)
7. Brodie Blows (Villager’s)
6. Waldo Etzebeth (Brackenfell)
5. Wade Schoor (Primrose)
4. Christiaan Burger (Milnerton)
3. Ryan Germishuys (Villager’s)
2. Charlton van Jaarsveld (Tygerberg – vice-captain)
1. Dale Dunn (Milnerton)
Replacements:
16. Xander Kuys (Kraaifontein)
17. Sikho Langa (Langa)
18. Christo van Wyk (Tygerberg)
19. Nezaam Bewee (Primrose)
20. Madeeg Davids (SK Walmers)
21. Ruan Vermaak (Milnerton)
22. Emile Etzebeth (Brackenfell)
23. Jerome Mgaga (Khayelitsha)
24. Maxwell Stoffels (Bellville)
25. Jason van Rooyen (Kuilsriver)
26. Andy Huysamen (Northerns)
27. Anthony Taylor (Young Stars)
28. Fabian van der Vent (Young Stars)
29. Monre Lingeveldt (Hamilton’s)
30. Sibusiso Monco (Khayelitsha)
Kick-off: 14h00
