Stormers bring back their big guns for Brumbies

Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee has named his team to play the Brumbies in a Super Rugby qualifier at Newlands and brought back his stars for the knock out clash.

Coetzee made 14 changes for last week’s match against the Sharks in order to rest his stars for this week’s must win match so there are many expected changes this week.

Regular captain Duane Vermeulen was ruled out earlier this week and Juan de Jongh takes over the captaincy again from Nizaam Carr who captained the team last week.

Outside centre De Jongh has been in the lead for the Stormers since the loss of squad captain Vermeulen.

De Jongh will, as usual, partner Damian de Allende in the centres, with Nic Groom and Demetri Catrakilis partnering at halfback and the back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds and Seabelo Senatla reunited once more.

Up front, Nizaam Carr – the only starting survivor from Durban – will pack down at No.8 in a powerful and consistent forward pack, with hooker Scarra Ntubeni (calf muscle) passed fit to join the bench.

Ntubeni, props Ali Vermaak and Vincent Koch, lock Jean Kleyn and loose forward Michael Rhodes will serve as the forwards replacements, with Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman and Jaco Taute the backline replacements.

“Knockout matches are different to league matches,” said Allister Coetzee.

“You only get one shot at it, you have to be on your game and you have to ensure you dominate physically from the outset. To ask players to be physical in the quarters is to express an understatement.

“The Brumbies are a tough team, a physical team, and will rely on their well-drilled consistent set-piece. We know they have got line speed and we know they attack the breakdown. We are certainly bracing ourselves for a physical battle.”

Stormers

15. Cheslin Kolbe , 14. Dillyn Leyds , 13. Juan de Jongh (captain) , 12. Damian de Allende , 11. Seabelo Senatla , 10. Demetri Catrakilis , 9. Nic Groom , 8. Nizaam Carr , 7. Siya Kolisi , 6. Schalk Burger (vice-captain) , 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. Michael Rhodes , 21. Louis Schreuder , 22. Kurt Coleman , 23. Jaco Taute