Jean-Luc du Plessis will start at flyhalf for the DHL Stormers XXIII in their SA Rugby U23 Cup encounter with Lions XV in Bellville on Saturday.
The inclusion of a fit-again Du Plessis is the only change to the backline for the clash with the team from Johannesburg, which kicks off at 14h00 on Saturday. The match will be streamed live on the Stormers TV YouTube channel from the Stormers Rugby High Performance Centre.
In the forward pack, Keke Morabe returns at No.8 to get some more gametime under his belt, which sees Hacjivah Dayimani move to blindside flank and Divan Fuller switch to the openside.
Gary Porter comes into the second row and up front, props Mhleli Khuzwayo and Herman Lubbe both get an opportunity to start.
Hooker Vernon Paulo, prop Matthew Beckett, lock Alex Groves, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and wing Joel Leotlela all come onto the replacements bench this week.
High Performance Manager Hanyani Shimange said that it will take a big effort to beat the unbeaten log-leaders this weekend.
“Last week’s performance at home was very encouraging and the key now is to build on that. It will require a step-up against a highly competitive Lions XV side who have shown themselves to be the team to beat in this competition,” he said.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Josh Boulle (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 JC Mars, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis*, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Keke Morabe*, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani*, 6 Divan Fuller, 5 Gary Porter*, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Luca Bakkes, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo*, 17 Matthew Beckett, 18 Hencus van Wyk*, 19 Alex Groves*, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Kyle Smith, 23 Joel Leotlela.
*Over 23