Ex Sport 24
Cape Town - The return of the injured Duane Vermeulen, Gio Aplon and Nick Koster to SA this week, has seen a number of changes to the Stormers' match 22 for their Super Rugby clash against the Force in Perth on Saturday, from the team that beat the Reds in Brisbane last week.
Kick-off is at 11:40 SA time.
In the starting XV, Frans Malherbe starts with Brok Harris dropping to the bench. Andries Bekker returns from an injury layoff to partner De Kock Steenkamp at lock while Nizaam Carr gets a first start in place of Vermeulen. Danie Poolman will wear the No 11 jersey in place of Aplon.
On the bench, Scarra Ntubeni will cover hooker in jersey No 16, with Deon Fourie covering loose forward in jersey 19. Young WP player Don Armand, who arrived in Perth this week as cover, will wear jersey 18.
Commenting on his selections coach Allister Coetzee said, “Despite the injuries this week and some enforced changes, the touring group is in high spirits and is very motivated.”
“Our motto for the week is; nothing special has ever been achieved in ideal conditions. A win this week will be the difference between a good tour and a great one and this group knows that. We have picked a strong side, our sessions this week have been excellent and we will be going all out for a win in this game.”
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Bryan Habana, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Danie Poolman, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker (captain), 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Don Armand, 19. Deon Fourie, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. JP du Plessis
Lets finish the tour right! How about a 5 pointer!! This is a very mobile pack and the backline still looks good. Poolman is a useful player and looked to me to be in about the same class as JJ Engelbrecht. Look forward to seeing Du Plessis if he gets a run.
