The DHL Stormers XXIII will play their first home game of the SA Rugby U23 Cup campaign when they face the Vodacom Bulls XV at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The match will kick off at 16h00 on Saturday, directly after the Vodacom URC game between the DHL Stormers and Connacht. Tickets are available from stormers.co.za.
For those not able to make it to DHL Stadium, the match will be streamed live on the Stormers TV YouTube channel.
Injuries to wing Jeol Leotlela, flyhalf Jurie Matthee and centre Bruce Sherwood have forced some changes in the backline.
JC Mars moves to the wing, with Luke Burger at fullback and a fit-again Suleiman Hartzenberg rounding out a potent back three. Jonathan Roche also makes his return from injury and will start in midfield alongside skipper Josh Boulle, while Dominic Malgas links up with Imad Khan at halfback.
Flank Alutha Wesi comes into the starting line-up to join Keke Morabe and Divan Fuller, while Connor Evans features in the second row and will partner Adam de Waal at lock.
Up front, the experienced Sazi Sandi starts at tighthead prop and will have hooker Luca Bakkes and loosehead Mhleli Khuzwayo next to him.
High Performance Manager Hanyani Shimange said that after two games on the road, the team is looking forward to playing at DHL Stadium for the first time this season.
“It is always tough to travel to places like Durban and Pretoria, so hopefully this team will be able to make home advantage count on the weekend.
“We have been hit by a few injuries this week, but there are some talented players in the mix and a good blend of hungry young players and some experienced heads who will be able to keep the team focused.
“After the defeat last week, it is important to bounce back quickly, and we are excited to see what this team has to offer,” he said.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Josh Boulle (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 JC Mars, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Alutha Wesi, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adam de Waal, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Luca Bakkes, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Aidan Norris, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Kyle Smith, 23 Ezekiel Ngobeni.