Stormers want Jantjies to build in confidence Elton Jantjies has retained his place but lost the kicking duties
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Article Published: Wednesday 6 March 2013
The Stormers hope that by resisting changes to their line up and by giving players a vote of confidence they can end a three match losing streak.
The Stormers have kept the same starting team that lost to the Sharks but made two changes to the bench but kept Peter Grant on the bench.
"We've gone with an unchanged team because it is important to keep backing the players," Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said on Wednesday.
"I don't see any reason to change the situation and this weekend hopefully they will continue to show improvement."
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been relieved of the place-kicking duties so that he can concentrate on his tactical and drop-out kicking.
He is still nowhere to his best form but Coetzee felt Peter Grant was not quite ready for a run-on berth.
"The best way to help Elton is to give him a chance to play," said Coetzee.
"It has been very different from what he's been used to when he played for the Lions.
"There is the danger of personal hurt if Elton continue to do the place-kicking and he continues to fail. Now he can concentrate on his natural game instead of carrying the burden of kicking for poles."
Stormers stand-in skipper Jean de Villiers said the Chiefs posed different challenges to their first two outings in the tournament.
"This week it's about adapting to the way we'll be challenged," De Villiers said.
"The Chiefs are good at what they do and their play is both entertaining and clever.
"They don't kick too much back and they keep up the pressure on their opponents.
"Once we strike a balance between balance and attack, we'll also be producing an entertaining brand of rugby."
Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg finally returns to action after a lengthy injury-enforced lay-off and Martin Bezuidenhout has dropped out of the match-day 22.
Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage replaces Louis Schreuder after Nic Groom was retained in the run-on XV.
"We've just come off two real physical battles and it's going to be a physical battle out there on Saturday," Coetzee said.
"This week we're playing against the champions and the battle will be even more uphill.
"By retaining the same team, we're giving some of the injured players an extra week for rehabilitation."
The Stormers' season could go badly wrong if they suffer another defeat but playing at Newlands has helped to bolster their self-belief.
"We'll have passionate support behind us which will provide us with a push, and playing the champs will require a big step up in all departments of the game," the Stormers mentor said.
"We know there has to be accuracy in all areas of the game and the players will have to have the energy and effort to succeed.
"This season we've seen the Chiefs have a big pack of forwards and a great set-piece."
