Stormers make five changes for Currie Cup clash with Pumas

The Stormers have made five changes to their matchday squad for Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup meeting with the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium.

Four of those alterations come in the forward pack, while Joel Leotlela is handed his first appearance of the season on the wing. The match in Mpumalanga is scheduled to kick off at 17:00.

Leotlela replaces Suleiman Hartzenberg, who suffered a minor injury during the Stormers’ match against the Toyota Cheetahs at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

Wandile Mlaba and Keke Morabe return among the loose forwards, with Mhleli Khuzwayo and Herman Lubbe also coming into the starting pack. The changes give the Stormers added experience and physicality up front for what is expected to be a demanding away fixture.

JC Mars is named among the replacements and offers cover in the backline. He is joined on the bench by halfbacks Ezekiel Ngobeni and Kyle Smith.

Head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said the Stormers would have to maintain their performance for the full 80 minutes if they were to claim a valuable victory on the road.

“We are very happy to have the likes of Wandi, Keke and Herman back in the starting line-up after featuring in the match against New Zealand last week, and we expect them to add some grunt up front.

“It is always tough to go to Mbombela Stadium, and we will need to be on the money throughout to secure the win, but it is a challenge that we are looking forward to,” he said.

The Stormers’ backline is led by captain Jean-Luc du Plessis at fly-half. Dylan Miller starts at full-back, with Leotlela and Mfundo Ndhlovu named on the wings.

Markus Muller and Cornel Smit form the midfield pairing, while Stefan Ungerer starts at scrum-half. The forward pack includes Gary Porter and Tom Barnard in the second row, with Louw Nel completing the loose-forward trio alongside Mlaba and Morabe.

Vernon Paulo is selected at hooker, with Khuzwayo and Lubbe joining him in the front row.

The Stormers’ line-up is:

15 Dylan Miller, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.

Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Luan Botha, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Kyle Smith, 23 JC Mars.