Blindside role for Du Toit at Newlands

After missing the match against the Highlanders, Du Toit returns to play at blindside flank and a fit-again Cobus Wiese is among the replacements after Kobus van Dyk was ruled out due to illness.

Several players and members of the Stormers management team have been struck down with a serious flu virus this week and as a result the team may change on match-day depending on how they progress.

In the backline Dillyn Leyds moves to fullback in place of the injured Sarel Marais and Johannes Engelbrecht starts on the wing, with Craig Barry providing cover.

The 25-year-old Barry recently returned to the Stormers squad after spending some time on loan with the Cheetahs and could feature against the Auckland side if he comes off the replacements bench in the Super Rugby encounter

Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Johannes Engelbrecht, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Jacobus Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 Craig Barry. 

Date: Saturday, March 17

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT; 02.05 NZ time Sunday, March 18)

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)