Super Rugby match preview: Stormers v Southern Kings
The Stormers have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Southern Kings.
Last Updated: 01/06/13 12:53pm
Deon Fourie returns to the flanks having missed last weekend's 20-15 win against the Reds with a rib injury meaning Don Armand is reduced to the bench.
In the second row De Kick Steenkamp comes back into the starting XV to partner Eben Etzebeth after spending a month on the sidelines with a chest injury.
Steenkamp's inclusion drops Gerbrandt Grobler to the bench as Marius Coetzee and Rohan Kitschoff lose their place in the Stormers' match-day 22.
Meanwhile, Alan Solomons has made three changes to his Southern Kings side following their 34-22 defeat to the Cheetahs last weekend.
Flu has prevented captain Luke Watson from training and the loose forward will be replaced by Jacques Engelbrecht in the Kings starting line-up.
Injuries have forced Solomons hand with winger Siyanda Grey and lock Steven Sykes both set for long spells on the sidelines.
Siviwe Soyiwapi is preferred on the right wing in place of Grey while veteran Darron Nell will deputise in the absence of Sykes.
Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (capt), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Deon Fourie, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Don Armand, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss (capt), 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Grant Kemp, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Devin Oosthuizen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Shane Gates, 22 George Whitehead.
What they said...
Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee
"For the first time this season, injuries have not dictated to us from the previous match.
"Our depth on the bench has been bolstered, so we will be looking to those players to make an impact when called upon."
Southern Kings head coach Alan Solomons
"We have worked hard on our kicking game and up front it will be critical for our pack to front up. I have no doubt they will.
"Most of them have played together in many games this season and we have every confidence they will be up for the challenge."