Injury forces two Stormers out

Injury has forced the late withdrawals of fullback Brent Russell and wing/centre Corne Uys from the Vodacom Stormers squad of 22 to face the Crusaders at Jade Stadium on Saturday evening.

Russell, who was to have started the match, withdrew after injuring his hamstring during training earlier in the week. His place is taken by Gio Aplon, who is promoted from the bench.

Uys, who injured his pectoral muscle against the Waratahs last week, had been penciled in on the bench this week pending a fitness test on Friday. Unfortunately he had not recovered sufficiently and was withdrawn. Forward Robbie Diack has been brought onto the bench as a fifth forward. The two reserve backs are JP Joubert and Naas Olivier.

Meanwhile, flyhalf Peter Grant has fully recovered from his groin strain and completed a full kicking practice following Friday’s captains run at the match venue.

The Vodacom Stormers team:

15 Gio Aplon

14 Breyton Paulse

13 Jean de Villiers

12 De Wet Barry

11 Dylan Des Fountain

10 Peter Grant

9 Bolla Conradie

8 Justin Melck

7 Schalk Burger

6 Luke Watson (C)

5 Ross Skeate

4 Francois vd Merwe

3 Brok Harris

2 Schalk Brits

1 JD Moller

Reserves:

16 Huia Edmonds

17 Schalk Ferreira

18 Andries Bekker

19 Gerrie Britz

20 Robbie Diack

21 JP Joubert

22 Naas Olivier