Etzebeth returns for Stormers against Brumbies

The Stormers have named their team to face the Brumbies at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday and have been able to bring back Eben Etzebeth after a week’s forced rest.

Etzebeth was rested in line with the SARU agreement on Springbok game time and returns to the Stormers starting line up wearing the No.4 shirt .

The Springbok second rower is joined the Stormers pack by loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff who returns at loosehead prop after being rested as part of the Stormers’ rotation policy.

Jean Kleyn drops down to bench after starting against the Cheetahs, whilst Manuel Carizza will start at No.5 in the absence of the injured Ruan Botha (ankle).

Kitshoff, meanwhile, replaces Oli Kebble in the No.1 shirt with Alistair Vermaak remaining on the bench.

Vice-captain Juan de Jongh has been named at outside centre, but he has been bracketed with Huw Jones after suffering a hip pointer injury against the Cheetahs.

De Jongh has made a better recovery than initially anticipated, but will still be given until kick-off on Saturday and Jones will start at No.13 should De Jongh not be available, with Pat Howard set to come onto the bench.

“Juan’s recovery has been a lot quicker than we thought, as this is normally a ten-day injury, but we still give him until kick-off on Saturday should he show any late discomfort,” said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee.

“We will never play a player if he is not ready, but Juan has made a lot of progress and came through his fitness test today.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash against the Australian Conference leaders, Coetzee added: “The Brumbies are a very good side. They’re very structured and don’t gift you any possession. They’re well coached and well organised in all aspects of their game. They’ve got a great maul and line-out (attacking-wise and defensively) and we really have to be up for this one.

“We’re obviously aware that we weren’t good enough last week and although we’ve had a disrupted week of training, with a lot of our players having been with the Springboks up until yesterday, we’re looking forward to being back at home in front of our supporters at Newlands.”

Stormers

15. Cheslin Kolbe , 14. Johnny Kotze , 13. Juan de Jongh (vc) / Huw Jones , 12. Damian de Allende , 11. Dillyn Leyds , 10. Demetri Catrakilis , 9. Nic Groom , 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain) , 7. Siya Kolisi , 6. Schalk Burger , 5. Manuel Carizza , 4. Eben Etzebeth , 3. Frans Malherbe , 2. Bongi Mbonambi , 1. Steven Kitshoff

Replacements:16. Scarra Ntubeni , 17. Ali Vermaak , 18. Vincent Koch , 19. Jean Kleyn , 20. Nizaam Carr , 21. Louis Schreuder , 22. Kurt Coleman , 23. Huw Jones / Pat Howard