Evan Roos resumes his successful loose-trio partnership with Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers as the Stormers look to avenge last weekend’s Vodacom URC defeat to the Sharks.
In other notable changes for the Cape side, Jonathan Roche starts at inside centre with Damian Willemse shifting to fullback.
Willemse’s move to 15 for the Kings Park clash sees Roche handed the responsibility of taming Sharks captain Andre Esterhuizen.
Dylan Maart comes in on the right wing in one of three changes to the starting backline. Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee and Warrick Gelant are the backs set to make an impact from the bench.
MORE: Roche ready for Andre the Giant duel
Up front, Oli Kebble starts at loosehead prop, while Ruben van Heerden partners a fit-again Adre Smith in a new lock combination.
Roos returns at No 8 after missing last week’s defeat, with Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen and JD Schickerling among the forwards on the bench.
AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 11 preview – SA derbies take centre stage
“Playing back-to-back derbies against the same opposition is a fairly unique situation and we are desperate to put in a more convincing performance than we managed at home last week,” said Stormers director of rugby John Dobson.
“We have been boosted by the return from injury of some key players, and you can be sure that all 23 will be going out there to show what it means to play in our jersey for our fans.”
SUPERBRU: Bulls edge Lions, Stormers strike back
STORMERS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (c), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Warrick Gelant.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Roos back, Gaza at 15 for Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.