DUNEDIN, OTAGO – MARCH 09: Damian Willemse of the Stormers runs to the tryline to score during the round four Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Stormers Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
Super Rugby: Stormers vs Rebels – Team news, kick off and live stream
With the Rebels looking for a win in South Africa and the Stormers yet to lose at Newlands this season, Friday’s match between the two will surely be an exciting one.
DUNEDIN, OTAGO – MARCH 09: Damian Willemse of the Stormers runs to the tryline to score during the round four Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Stormers Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
ÊAfter three matches away from home and two heavy blows against the Bulls and Sharks, the Stormers are finally back at Newlands for their match against the Rebels this weekend.
The Stormers are set to kick-start the long-weekend when they meet the Rebels on Freedom Day while going for their fourth consecutive win at Newlands.
Stormers team and injury news
Accordin to their official website, wing JJ Engelbrecht and flank Kobus van Dyk will start for the Stormers against the Rebels on Friday.
Engelbrecht’s inclusion on the left wing is the only change to the backline, while in the forward pack Van Dyk is at blindside flank, with Pieter-Steph du Toit shifting to lock where he will partner Chris van Zyl.
Cobus Wiese and Seabelo Senatla both make their return from injury on the replacements bench.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is looking forward to playing at Newlands once again.
“It is always good to be back at Newlands and playing in front of our faithful supporters who have played a big role in our three wins at home this season.”
Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 SP Marais, 23 Seabelo Senatla
Rebels team and injury news
For their second and final game in South Africa this season, Rebels Hoach Dave Wessels sees the challenge of winning in South Africa as another milestone his team can tick off.
According to the Rebels’ website, front-rower Jermaine Ainsley is one of three changes to the Rebels starting XV for Friday’s game, with back row Lopeti Timani and centre Billy Meakes to join him.
Wessels said Ainsley’s aggression was a main reason for his recall.
“Jermaine, really that pack aside from Anaru (Rangi), is really the pack we started the season with.
“[They] played with a lot of cohesion and a lot of intensity. That’s really what we are aiming for this week.
“[Jermaine’s] feeling refreshed and if you look at the back part of the Bulls game when he comes on, he’s just such an incredible athlete for such a big guy.
“He’ll make a big difference to our scrum. He’s genuinely aggressive in that position and that’s something that we need against a good Stormers scrum.”
Rebels: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Tom English, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (c), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner
Substitutes: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Semisi Tupou, 23 Sefa Naivalu
Kick-off time
Friday, 27 April, at 15:05 (SAST).
TV & Live Stream
Super Sport 1 (subscription required) at 15:00 (SAST).
Super Rugby Form (most recent result first)
Stormers: LLLWWLL
Rebels: LLLWLWW
History
The Stomers won two matches at home and two away against the Rebels in the past, while the Rebels won one match at home against the Stormers back in 2013.
