Following their bye in the opening round last week, the DHL Stormers will get their Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked campaign underway on home turf against the Johannesburg outfit, in a match that kicks off at 19h00 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
There are just two changes to the starting line-up that did duty in the 34-21 victory against the Emirates Lions on Vodacom Super Fan Saturday at Loftus Versfeld at the start of the month.
Fit-again wing Sergeal Petersen replaces the injured Seabelo Senatla, while Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker with Scarra Ntubeni among the replacements.
John Dobson and Siya Kolisi
Dobson said that his team are determined to make a convincing start to their campaign at DHL Newlands this weekend.
"This is our first competitive match since March, so to say that we are looking forward to it would be an understatement," said Dobson.
"The players and coaches have all worked hard in preparation and we can't wait to get going.
"We have been able to select a very strong team with some quality players missing out, so the challenge will be to gel as a unit and start our campaign on the front foot," he added.
Due to strict COVID-19 regulations, no spectators will be allowed inside the stadium on Saturday – that includes general seating and in the suites.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Michal Haznar, 23 Tim Swiel.
Match information – DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions
Date: Saturday 17 October
Time: 19h00
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Egon Seconds, Aimee Barrett-Theron
Television Match Official: Joey Klaaste-Salmans
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
