Everything you need to know about the Stormers vs Crusaders

The Crusaders are in Cape Town preparing to take on the Stormers at Newlands Stadium this Saturday.

After scoring a bonus point against the Bulls last weekend, the Crusaders will definitely try to beat the Stormers before they go home.

Luckily, the Stormers are boosted with the return of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende.

Stormers team and injury news

De Allende takes his place in midfield alongside flyhalf Joshua Stander, with Jean-Luc du Plessis and Dan Kriel on the replacements bench.

In the forward pack, Kolisi and Du Toit are on the flanks with Jaco Coetzee at the back of the scrum, while Cobus Wiese starts in the second row next to Eben Etzebeth.

The only front row change comes on the replacements bench, with the experienced Frans Malherbe set to provide an impact in the second half.

Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is looking forward to playing at Newlands again.

“We have a good home record and this is another great opportunity for us to perform in front of our supporters.

“We have put the hard work in on the training pitch and we want to ensure we are focused on Saturday so that we can be as accurate as possible,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan Kriel

Crusaders team and injury news

Head Coach Scott Robertson has made three changes to the side that ran in seven tries in their bonus point win over the Bulls.

In the front row, Joe Moody will be rested this week, allowing a leg wound he sustained against the Bulls, to heal. George Bower will start at loosehead prop and Harry Allan provides cover in the reserves. 

Sam Whitelock returns to captain the side against the Stormers, having re-joined the squad in Cape Town earlier this week.

The final change to the side sees Ethan Blackadder get an opportunity to start on the blindside, with Jordan Taufua shifting to the bench. 

The Crusaders’ backline remains unchanged from last weekend’s game, including Man of the Match Richie Mo’unga at first five-eighth and right wing Sevu Reece, who ran in three tries against the Bulls last week. 

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Kick off time

Saturday, 17 May at 17:15 (SAST).

TV & live stream

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 (SS1).