Van Aswegen to start at flyhalf
Van Aswegen will start in place of Elton Jantjies (knee) in one of two injury-enforced changes to the DHL Stormers team from last week – the other will see Damian de Allende start in the No.14 jersey.
Joe Pietersen has been moved back to fullback to cover for the injured Jaco Taute (out for the season with an ACL injury), with De Allende, in turn, taking over from Pietersen on the right-wing.
The DHL Stormers pack is unchanged from the team that started against the Cheetahs, but there are new backline faces on the bench in Kurt Coleman and Cheslin Kolbe, the latter will join fellow Vodacom Cup star, Gerbrandt Grobler, as potential debutants this week.
Kolbe, an SA Sevens representative, has been in superb form at fullback for the DHL Western Province team in recent weeks and is an exciting talent, whilst Coleman, the flyhalf reserve to Van Aswegen this weekend, has already made five Super Rugby appearances for the Stormers.
Looking ahead to Saturday, DHL Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said: “We are under no illusions that it is a tough task. The Sharks are an incredibly good team.
“It’s vital that we get our campaign back on course with a positive result from the match this weekend… we need to get the points against the Sharks.
“We’re looking forward to being back at DHL Newlands on Saturday and want to encourage all spectators to take part in our #RESPECT campaign – respect the teams out there and also your fellow spectators.”
Meanwhile, Tsogo Sun and Western Province Rugby today also announced the signing of a three-year contract which sees Tsogo Sun securing the title of official hotel and casino partner to WP Rugby and the DHL WP representative teams.
Tsogo Sun’s existing relationship as the official hotel supplier to WP Rugby has now been extended to include two properties from their gaming arm, The Caledon Casino, Hotel and Spa in the Overberg Region and Mykonos Casino on the Cape West Coast.
DHL Stormers captain Jean de Villiers added: “Over the years, my rugby commitments have seen me spend a lot of time in Tsogo Sun Hotels across the country.
“When you travel, as a player, it’s always nice to know that when you stay at any Tsogo Sun Hotel you don’t have to worry about anything away from the game – all your needs are taken care of.”
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Sharks is as follows:
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Damian de Allende
13. Juan de Jongh**
12. Jean de Villiers (captain)
11. Gio Aplon
10. Gary van Aswegen
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain)
7. Michael Rhodes
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Andries Bekker
4. De Kock Steenkamp
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Deon Fourie
1. Steven Kitshoff
Reserves:
16. Martin Bezuidenhout
17. Pat Cilliers
18. Gerbrandt Grobler*
19. Nizaam Carr
20. Louis Schreuder
21. Kurt Coleman
22. Cheslin Kolbe*
* On debut for the DHL Stormers.
** Centre Juan de Jongh will play his 50th match for the DHL Stormers.
Referee: Craig Joubert
