Stormers shuffle line-up for Cheetahs’ visit to Newlands

Coach John Dobson has made five changes to the Stormers starting line-up for their Super Rugby Unlocked encounter with the Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 19:00.

HERSCHEL JANTJIES MAKES A WELCOME RETURN

There are four rotational switches and one injury-enforced change for the clash.

In the backline, Ruhan Nel replaces the injured Edwill van der Merwe on the right wing, while scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies returns after sitting out last week on compassionate grounds.

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In the forward pack lock Salmaan Moerat, prop Frans Malherbe and hooker Scarra Ntubeni all make a return to the starting line-up after featuring among the replacements last week.

There are two potential Stormers debutants in prop Sazi Sandi and utility back Kade Wolhuter on the extended replacements bench.

FANS WILL BE DEARLY MISSED

Dobson said that after three weeks on the road, his team is determined to make the most of being back on home turf this weekend.

“It is fantastic to be back at Newlands, although our fans will still be dearly missed, and we would like to build on our performance last week in Kimberley.

“We are focused on delivering an accurate display in what will be our last game in a Stormers jersey at Newlands this year,” he said.

TEAMS:

Stormers

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 Chris van Zyl, 21 David Meihuizen, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Kade Wolhuter, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Leolin Zas

Cheetahs

TBA