Stormers loaded with Boks for Lions clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are seven Springboks in the Stormers starting line-up for their Super Rugby Unlocked encounter with the Lions on Saturday.

Following their bye in the opening round last week, the Stormers will get their Super Rugby Unlocked campaign underway at Newlands against the Johannesburg outfit.

There are just two changes to the starting line-up that did duty in the 34-21 victory against the Lions on SuperFan 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.

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team is determined to make a convincing start to their campaign at 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. 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 said.

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.

Date: Saturday, October 17

Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Egon Seconds

TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans