Coleman to run Stormers backline against Chiefs

The Stormers have named their Super Rugtby team to play the Chiefs at Newlands in Cape Town with Kurt Coleman replacing Demetri Catrakilis.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has made four changes to the side with Jean Kleyn, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman and Kobus Van Wyk all earning starting places while Eben Etzebeth is rested this week.

Van Wyk has shaken off the calf muscle injury that delayed his start to the 2015 season and wins back the No.14 jersey from Johnny Kotze who drops out of the squad this week.

Kotze is resting a slightly troublesome AC Joint, meaning that Van Wyk’s return to full fitness, after training at 100% with the team these past two weeks, is a timeous one.

At lock, meanwhile, Jean Kleyn comes in at No.4 for Eben Etzebeth, who is being rested as part of the South African Super Rugby franchises’ agreement with the Springboks.

Kleyn came off the bench last Saturday as the Stormers made it four from four with a 29-13 victory over the Sharks.

Regular No.5 lock Ruan Botha, over his minor concussion, returns to the matchday squad this week via the bench, where he is joined by experienced loose forward Schalk Burger, who is set to win his 99th cap for the Stormers.

Whilst Burger is on the verge of his 100th appearance for the Stormers, following in the footsteps of Andries Bekker and Jean de Villiers before him, 23-year-old loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff will make his 50th appearance this Saturday.

“We’re in for a big one this weekend, of that there is no doubt,” said Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee.

“It’s not for nothing that the Chiefs have won the Super Rugby title twice in the past three years and we need to be at our very best to win this one.

“They will test our defence in a different way, more so than before, as their biggest threat is the variety they bring on attack.”

“Having a guy like Kobus – our first-choice right-wing since last year’s Super Rugby competition – back is indeed perfect timing for us, with Johnny in need of a rest (with his AC Joint) after making a good start to his first season at this level,” said Coetzee.

“I have spoken before about increasing our squad capacity and Johnny’s performances in our first four games are proof of this, whilst Louis and Kurt have both made an impact off the bench this season and them starting this week, after great work from Nic and Demetri up until now, is also important in our long-term (season) planning.”

The Stormers have a bye next weekend, after five games in a row, before they head abroad for a tough four-match tour of Australasia.

Stormers

15. Cheslin Kolbe , 14. Kobus van Wyk , 13. Juan de Jongh (vice-captain) , 12. Damian de Allende , 11. Dillyn Leyds , 10. Kurt Coleman , 9. Louis Schreuder , 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain) , 7. Siya Kolisi , 6. Nizaam Carr , 5. Manuel Carizza , 4. Jean Kleyn , 3. Vincent Koch , 2. Scarra Ntubeni , 1. Steven Kitshoff (50th cap for Stormers)

Replacements: , 16. Neil Rautenbach , 17. Alistair Vermaak , 18. Frans Malherbe , 19. Ruan Botha , 20. Schalk Burger , 21. Nic Groom , 22. Demetri Catrakilis , 23. Huw Jones