Fleck rings changes for derby

There are four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Bulls in the big north-south Super Rugby derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

There are three changes to the backline and one in the forward pack.

SP Marais and Dillyn Leyds return from injury to take their places at fullback and wing respectively, while a rib injury to Dewaldt Duvenage means that Justin Phillips will start at scrumhalf, with Jano Vermaak returning from injury to provide cover on the replacements bench.

The only change to the forward pack is a rotational switch between Steven Kitshoff and Jacobus Janse van Rensburg, with hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni set to make his first appearance this season if he comes on as a replacement.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is determined to continue the winning momentum they have generated against the Blues and Reds at Newlands.

“The team has performed well to win our last two games, but we know that there are a number of areas in which we can still improve,” Fleck said.

“It has been another good week of training with a few key players returning from injury, so we are looking forward to the weekend which gives us another chance to make a step up in our game,” he said.

Stormers: 15. SP Marais, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. EW Viljoen, 12. Damian De Allende, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Damian Willemse, 9. Justin Phillips, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Cobus Wiese, 6. Siya Kolisi (C), 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Jan de Klerk, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Ramone Samuels, 1. Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16. Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17. Jacobus Janse van Rensburg, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Chris van Zyl, 20. Kobus van Dyk, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Jano Vermaak, 23. Craig Barry.