Pieter Steph duToit © Gallo Images
Thu, 13 Apr 2017 | 12:07
Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit has been joined by his younger brother Johan in the DHL Stormers match day squad for the big Vodacom Super Rugby derby against the Emirates Lions at Newlands on Saturday.
Johan, just 21 years of age, followed his older brother back to the Western Cape from Durban at the start of the year, but was injured during the pre-season and has only just regained his fitness. He comes onto the Stormers bench for what will be his first Super Rugby cap if he gets onto the field because of the injury that has sidelined Cobus Wiese.
Nizaam Carr, who did well in the second half against the Chiefs last week, comes into the starting side at openside flank, where he will have an important role to play against the combative Lions loose-forward combination at the breakdowns.
The younger of the two Du Toit brothers is highly rated and coach Robbie Fleck is expecting a big contribution from him.
“Johan has a massive work ethic and he wil give us a bit of variation from the bench. He has a massive appetite for work, just like his brother, and he really hits rucks and makes tackles,” said Fleck.
“Having him on the bench is a way of trying to balance our loose trio out and freeing other players up to do their jobs.”
Part of the reason for opting for Du Toit might be his physical approach, which could help off-set the possible loss of Bok lock Eben Etzebeth, who like last week is going to be subject to a late fitness test because of the calf injury that continues to bother him. Chris van Zyl, who is not in the squad, is understood to be on standby, just as he was last week, when he ended up playing when Pieter-Steph du Toit had to pull out because of injury.
There are another changes three to the starting side that scored an epic win over the Chiefs at the same venue last week. Jano Vermaak is back from injury and will wear the No9 jersey, with Dewaldt Duvenage dropping out the squad to take a well-earned rest in preparation for the three match tour of New Zealand, that starts next week.
Godlen Masimla then gets an opportunity to be back-up scrumhalf, with the other changes coming at forward, with Du Toit returning in place of Van Zyl, while Bok tighthead Frans Malherbe is back as a rotation selection ahead of Wilco Louw.
Fleck said that getting the players ready for the Lions game had been a struggle this week due to the ferocity and intensity with which the game against the Chiefs the previous week was played. He said that the bumps and bruises tallied up by his own team would off-set any potential for the Lions to be bringing rust to Newlands after their bye last week.
“It has been a tough week and some of the players have been really sore, so it has been a bit of a juggling act weighing up the need to get through the work in preparation for the Lions while coping with the bumps and bruises,” said Fleck.
“Certain players are still missing training sessions, but we had a good session today and we got through it. The Lions will come here after a good break and I don’t think rust will be a problem for them as their coaches Johan Ackermann and Swys de Bruyn are both wily characters and they would have pushed the boundaries this week to ensure they get back on the right keel.
“I see they have made us favourites for this game which is a bit odd considering we have only beaten them once in any competition since 2014. Mentally playing a big game a week after a big win is always a challenge but it has been a case of back to work for us and the humility of our group has been outstanding. The guys enjoyed the win but on Monday they were in recovery mode. We knew it was a Lions game that was up next so we knew we had to get back into it quickly.”
DHL Stormers: 15.SP Marais, 14.Cheslin Kolbe, 13.EW Viljoen, 12.Dan du Plessis, 11.Dillyn Leyds, 10.Robert du Preez, 9.Jano Vermaak, 8.Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7.Siya Kolisi (captain), 6.Nizaam Carr, 5.Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4.Eben Etzebeth, 3.Frans Malherbe, 2.Bongi Mbonambi, 1.JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16.Ramone Samueles, 17.Oli Kebble, 18.Wilco Louw, 19.Jan de Klerk, 20.Johan du Toit, 21.Godlen Masimla, 22.Kurt Coleman, 23.Dan Kriel.
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