Malherbe to skipper the Stormers
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will captain the Stormers in the Super Rugby encounter with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
With regular skipper Siya Kolisi and vice-captain Eben Ezebeth being rested, Malherbe takes the captaincy reins with wing Dillyn Leyds named vice-captain for the South African derby.
Loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg returns from injury to take his place in the front row alongside Malherbe and hooker Ramone Samuels, who makes his first start of the season.
Bongi Mbonambi and Wilco Louw will provide front row cover off the replacements bench, along with Steven Kitshoff who will make his first appearance for the Stormers since 2015 if called upon.
In the second row Chris van Zyl takes Etzebeth’s place next to Pieter-Steph du Toit, with JD Schickerling as back-up amongst the replacements.
Rynhardt Elstadt also returns from injury to link up with Kobus van Dyk and Nizaam Carr in the loose trio, while Sikhumbuzo Notshe is set to provide impact as a replacement.
In the backline the experienced Jano Vermaak will link up with 19-year-old fly-half Damian Willemse, who makes his first Stormers start having recently returned from duty at the World Rugby U20 Championships with the Junior Springboks.
In midfield Kiwi Shaun Treeby partners Juan de Jongh, with EW Viljoen playing off the replacements bench for the first time this season.
The back three of Leyds, Cheslin Kolbe and SP Marais will start the game, while Sevens star Seabelo Senatla will inject some pace from the bench.
Stormers: 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Rynardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Frans Malherbe (c), 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 EW Viljoen, 23 Seabelo Senatla
Date: Saturday, July 1
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15:05 local (13:05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)