Springboks lock Salmaan Moerat is back for the Stormers' clash against Cardiff.
Image: Backpagepix
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will lead the Stormers in their final URC league match of the season against Cardiff on Friday night.
Fouché takes over the captaincy with Deon Fourie sidelined with a knee injury and Ruhan Nel still recovering from a calf injury, as the Stormers end the regular season at Cardiff Arms Park in a match that kicks off at 8.45pm on Friday (SA time).
There are just two changes to the forward pack, with Fouché starting in the front row and Paul de Villiers in at openside flank in place of Fourie.
Salmaan Moerat makes his return from injury from the replacements bench, which this week also features hooker JJ Kotzé and loose forward Marcel Theunissen.
In the backline, there is an all-new midfield of Jonathan Roche and Wandisile Simelane, as Damian Willemse moves to fullback and Suleiman Hartzenberg comes in on the right wing.
Coach John Dobson said that his team will be going all-out to end the regular season with a win.
“We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs, but there are also some rotations to our team as we look to build maximum capacity ahead of the knock-outs.
“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week, and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.
“Although we have already secured a home quarter-final, there is plenty to play for, and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park,” he said.
Stormers
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché (captain), 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.