Dillyn Leyds will start at fly-half in one of four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The versatile Leyds, who last played at fly-half in the Stormers’ victory against the Blues at Newlands last year, moves into the pivot position in place of the injured Damian Willemse.
Leyds’ place on the wing is taken by Seabelo Senatla, with EW Viljoen coming in at outside centre for the injured JJ Engelbrecht in the only other backline change.
In the front row, experienced loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg makes his first start of the season, with Steven Kitshoff set to make an impact from the replacements bench, while in the loose trio Cobus Wiese is back at blindside flank after missing out last week.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is determined to give it absolutely everything in Christchurch.
“The players are very excited about what we can achieve against the Crusaders this week, we certainly will not be holding back.
“It has been a good week of preparation and the mindset is that we are ready to rise to the challenge that the defending chanpions will present on their home turf,” he said.
Stormers: 15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Dillyn Leyds, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 George Whitehead
Date: Saturday, March 3
Venue: AMI Park, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand), Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
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