
Cardiff Rugby have made four changes for their United Rugby Championship quarter-final against DHL Stormers on Saturday at 15:30 (SA Time).
The team show three changes in the pack, with Rhys Barratt and Keiron Assiratti named in the front row, while Josh McNally returns from RAF duty to partner Rory Thornton in the second row.
In an otherwise unchanged backline, Josh Adams returns to fitness to join Cam Winnett and Jacob Beetham in a dynamic back three.
“The approach and what we expect from the Stormers is the same. For us, it’s all about how we apply what we want to do against them,” explained Corniel van Zyl
“The pressure was on us last time out at Cardiff Arms Park, but I think that has obviously shifted back onto them a little now. If we can start well and apply pressure through what we do best – scoring points – then we can put them under pressure.
“That is ultimately the only way we can impose ourselves on them. That’s what we’re aiming to do and, at the end of the day, we’ll do our best to come away with the victory.”
Van Zyl has opted for a 6-2 split on the replacements bench, with Evan Lloyd again providing back-row cover alongside Alun Lawrence. Ellis Bevan and Tom Bowen will also provide back-line cover.
If triumphant in Cape Town, Cardiff will either travel to face Leinster in Dublin or host the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions.
Cardiff Rugby: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Jacob Beetham, 13 Ben Thomas, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Taine Basham, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 James Botham, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Rhys Barratt. Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 George Nott, 20 Alun Lawrence, 21 Evan Lloyd, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Tom Bowen.
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