SP Marais has been named to start at fullback in the DHL Stormers' Super Rugby opener against his former team, the Bulls, at Newlands on Saturday.
Marais moved from the Bulls to the Stormers during the off-season and will play in his first Super Rugby game for the Stormers. Cheslin Kolbe will start on the right wing with Dillyn Leyds on the left.
Centre EW Viljoen will make his Super Rugby debut alongside inside centre Damian de Allende. Jean-Luc du Plessis gets the nod at flyhalf with Jano Vermaak as his No 9.
In a strong pack, JC Janse van Rensburg, Bongi Mbonambi and Wilco Louw complete the front row, while Bok duo Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth continue their second-row partnership. Captain Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt and Nizaam Carr make up the loose trio.
On the bench, new recruits Ramone Samuels (prop) and Dan Kriel (centre) will debut for the Stormers if they do play.
Stormers – 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malberbe, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Rob du Preez.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
