De Allende and Senatla add substance at the back

Springbok centre Damian de Allende and Blitzbok star Seabelo Senatla will add much needed substance to the DHL Stormers back division for Saturday’s final Vodacom Super Rugby league match against the Cell C Sharks at Newlands.

Senatla was out injured last week and De Allende was rested for the clash with the Sunwolves. Senatla impressed in his last game at Newlands, where he was a constant thorn in the side of the Highlanders’ defensive system, but was injured when the Stormers got mauled by the Lions in Johannesburg a week later.

There are several back three players missing for the Stormers, with Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen and SP Marais all on the sidelines. That means that young Maties wing Edwill van der Merwe gets another chance to build on his promising first appearance in Stormers colours a week ago.

Dan Kriel drops to the bench to cover for both the midfield and the wings, while there has also been a complete change at halfback. Herschel Jantjies injured his shoulder against the Sunwolves and has been replaced in the starting team by veteran Jano Vermaak, who does boast plenty of experience and is a capped Springbok.

Josh Stander comes back into the starting team at flyhalf for Jean-Luc du Plessis. The pack is unchanged form the one that started against the Sunwolves, although there is a welcome return on the bench for hooker Scarra Ntubeni.

With most of the top Stormers locks still out injured, another newcomer in David Meihuizen continues as the second row back-up, as does Chris Massyn. Both joined Van der Merwe in getting their first taste of Super Rugby last weekend.

Stormers team: Dillyn Leyds, Seabelo Senatla, JJ Engelbrecht, Damian de Allende, Edwill van der Merwe, Josh Stander, Jano Vermaak, Jaco Coetzee, Johan du Toit, Ernst van Rhyn, Chris van Zyl, Cobus Wiese, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Corné Fourie, Wilco Louw, David Meihuizen, Chris Massyn, Justin Phillips, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Dan Kriel.