Van Rhyn leads Stormers against Sharks

The DHL Stormers will complete their preparations for the defence of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship title when Ernst van Rhyn leads them against the Cell C Sharks in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.

The match will take place at the Kolisi field at Grey High, with a 14.00 kick-off, and the Cape team have made several changes to the side that played against the South Western Districts Eagles in George last weekend. The Stormers have been in camp for the last 10 days and will be looking to apply what they have been working on against their coastal rivals.

The game sees the return of the experienced Dan du Plessis to the starting team after he played off the bench last week, and he will partner Suileman Hartzenberg, who scored four tries against SWD. Clayton Blommetjies, recruited from the Toyota Cheetahs in the off-season, continues at fullback, but Paul de Wet is back from the injury problems that kept him out of the last two months of last season in place of former Griquas, Southern Kings and Sharks player Stefan Ungerer.

Springbok Marvin Orie is back into the side at lock, where he partners the promising young Connor Evans, while the front row is a strong one, with Andre-Hugo Venter, who many think could experience a break-through season, in at hooker between Neethling Fouche and Ali Vermaak. Junior Pokomela, who captained the team last week, continues at openside flank while Hacjivah Daymimani is back as the No 8.

DHL Stormers team: Clayton Blommetjies, Tristan Leyds, Suileman Hartzenberg, Dan du Plessis, Chris Hollis, Kade Wolhuter, Paul de Wet, Hacjivah Dayimani, Ernst van Rhyn (captain), Junior Pokomela, Marvin Orie, Connor Evans, Neethling Fouche, Andre-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak. Replacements: Chad Solomon, Kwenzo Blose, Sazi Sandi, Gary Porter, Paul de Villiers, Louwan Horn, Marcel Theunissen, Imad Khan, Seabelo Senatla, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Godlen Masimla.