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du Toit brothers to start for Stormers as Bulls make one change
By Online Editors
Both the Stormers and the Bulls have kept changes to a minimum ahead of their massive South African derby in Cape Town this weekend.
The Bulls have received a timely boost ahead of their visit with World Cup-winning Springbok Trevor Nyakane named to start alongside fellow Bok prop Lizo Gqoboka in the Bulls in the front row.
Nyakane’s selection is the only change to the starting team, with Wiehahn Herbst shifting to the bench.
Fellow prop Gerhard Steenekamp is set to make his Super Rugby debut if he comes on as a replacement.
Bulls coach Pote Human has opted for a five-forward-three-backs split amongst the replacements, which makes room for utility back Divan Rossouw.
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The Stormers, meanwhile, have made just two changes to their starting side - both due to injuries.
Siyabonga Ntubeni is set to play in the front row in place of Mbongeni Mbonambi - between Springboks Frans Malherbe (playing in his 100th game) and new skipper Steven Kitshoff.
In the back row, Johan du Toit will start at No.8, alongside his brother Pieter-Steph, in place of injured talisman Siya Kolisi.
There are also four changes among the replacements, with Cobus Wiese, Juarno Agustus and Jean-Luc du Plessis returning from injury, while Chad Solomon is set to make his first appearance of the season.
History does not favour the Bulls in Cape Town, as they last beat the Stormers in the Mother City in 2011.
However, the visitors do take comfort in knowing how to unlock their opponents after last season’s 40-0 drubbing at Loftus Versfeld, which was followed by a narrow one-point loss in the return fixture.
The Stormers will be looking to make it two straight wins at the start of the season, following their 27-0 victory against the Hurricanes.
Stormers coach John Dobson said that his team is determined to build on their performance last week in what should be a typically fierce South African derby.
“We know there are some areas in which we can make a step up and we are expecting a hugely physical challenge on Saturday, so we cannot afford to lose focus,” the coach said.
“The atmosphere at Newlands last week was incredible and we are looking forward to another opportunity to play in front of our supporters in a big derby, we are determined to make the most of what will be another great opportunity.
“This will be the last North-South Vodacom Super Rugby derby at Newlands, so it will be another piece of history for the rugby-mad people of this region,” he said.
Stormers: Dillyn Leyds, Sergeal Petersen, Ruhan Nel, Jamie Roberts, Seabelo Senatla, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jaco Coetzee, Chris van Zyl, Salmaan Moerat, Frans Malherbe, Siyabonga Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff (c). Reserves: Chad Solomon, Ali Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ernst van Rhyn, Juarno Augustus, Godlen Masimla, Jean-Luc du Plessis.
Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Morné Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Josh Strauss, Abongile Nonkontwana, Jeandré Rudolph, Juandré Kruger, Andries Ferreira, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka. Reserves: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wiehahn Herbst, Ruan Nortje, Wian Vosloo, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.
- Rugby365
Siya Kolisi has discussed his fairly serious injury ahead of the Stormers' round 2 clash with the Bulls:
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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