The Stormers’ pack of forwards for Friday’s Super Rugby clash against the Rebels in Melbourne looks almost unrecognisable.
With the likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Chris van Zyl unavailable, coach Robbie Fleck has made four personnel changes to his engine room for the 11.45am assignment.
In the back row, Ernst van Rhyn will make his Stormers debut in place of Kolisi in the No.6 jumper and will line up next to Jaco Coetzee and Kobus van Dyk.
Fleck resisted the urge to pick Juarno Augustus in the starting XV, saying: “We lost four of our lineout callers and that played a big role in selection.
EXCITED: Robbie Fleck. Backpagepix.
“Van Rhyn is a pretty decent lineout jumper and with Kobus van Dyk, they will be running the lineouts.”
The trio will push behind a brand-new lock pairing of Salmaan Moerat, who replaces Van Zyl and Cobus Wiese at scrum time.
And while Fleck admits that this pack lacks experience, he is excited to see what they can bring to the party.
He explains: “When we have the number one pack, it is a strength of us.
“This is a young pack and they’ve got a different strength.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Exciting lock Salmaan Moerat. Photo: Backpagepix.
“It is a young, dynamic pack and we’re certainly excited to see them in action.
“The only thing is this pack lacks experience.
“But we’re excited to see what they can do.”
Fleck, though, brought in some experience, with Bongi Mbonambi replacing Scarra Ntubeni at hooker, while Steven Kitshoff comes in at loosehead for Corne Fourie.
The only change to the backline sees Herschel Jantjies in at scrumhalf for Justin Phillips.
DEBUTANT: Ernst van Rhyn earns first Stormers start. Photo: Chris Ricco/Backpagepix.
Stormers:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)
Substitutes:
16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla.