Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck has announced his 47-man playing squad for the Cape Town-based outfit’s 2018 Super Rugby campaign.
Experienced loose forward Siya Kolisi, who currently has 89 caps for the Stormers, continues in the leadership role he took up last year, with lock Eben Etzebeth his vice-captain.
The Stormers get their 2018 Super Rugby campaign underway when they host the Jaguares at Newlands on Saturday, February 17.
Of the 47-man squad, there are nine players who will not be available to face the Jaguares in the opening game due to injury.
Etzebeth (shoulder), is joined on the injured list by SP Marais (toe), Scarra Ntubeni (hamstring), Ali Vermaak (hamstring), Jano Vermaak (knee), Jean-Luc du Plessis (groin), Dan du Plessis (shoulder), Frans Malherbe (neck) and Juarno Augustus (back).
Craig Barry (Cheetahs) and Neethling Fouche (Stellenbosch University) are currently with other teams but are available to the Stormers this season.
Fleck said that despite the injuries, the players are excited to get the season underway, having worked hard in the pre-season.
Stormers squad:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Jan de Klerk, Paul de Wet, Stephan de Wit, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, JC Janse van Rensberg, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (c), Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Dean Muir, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Caylib Oosthuizen, Carlu Sadie, Ramone Samuels, JD Schickerling, Kobus van Dyk, Chris van Zyl, Alistair Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Eddie Zandberg
Backs: Craig Barry, Damian de Allende, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Dewaldt Duvenage, JJ Engelbrecht, Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, SP Marais, Sergeal Petersen, Justin Phillips, Raymond Rhule, Seabelo Senatla, Joshua Stander, Jano Vermaak, EW Viljoen, George Whitehead, Damian Willemse
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