Pietersen starts; Grant benched

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee made two changes to his team to take on the Sharks in Saturday's Super Rugby clash in Durban.

Fullback Joe Pietersen and tighthead prop Frans Malherbe come into the starting line-up from the side that went down 17-25 to the Bulls last Friday.

Flyhalf Peter Grant, back from his latest stint in Japan, has been named on the replacement bench - with Springbok pivot Elton Jantjies retained in the No.10 jersey.

The inclusion of Pietersen at fullback comes after Bok Jaco Taute was ruled out of this week's game - having taken a blow to the groin area last week.

Joining Grant on the bench is prop Pat Cilliers, who started in the No.3 shirt last week, but took a blow to the head. Although he has been cleared of concussion, he will still play off the bench.

Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder will also warm the bench in place of Dewaldt Duvenage this weekend.

Nic Groom (knee) missed training earlier in the week, but was cleared to play against the Sharks.

Bok centre Juan de Jongh (hamstring) returned to training this week, but will be given more time to fully recover from his injury.

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Don Armand, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Date: Saturday, March 2

Venue: King's Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)