Stormers vs Brumbies preview

The Brumbies will continue their currently-lossless Super Rugby campaign as they head to Cape Town to take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, 23 March 2013.

De Jongh makes his return from injury and will replace Damien de Allende, who had some good performances in the centre position.

Gerhard van den Heever replaces the injured Bryan Habana, while Dewalt Duvenhage gets the starting nod over Nic Groom.

Jaco Taute has also recovered from an injury, but will play off the bench, with Joe Pietersen starting at fullback.

The Brumbies have seen two changes from the team that defeated the Sharks.

Ian Prior has been named to start at scrumhalf for the first time this year and Dan Palmer will return to start at tight-head prop.

The last meeting between the two teams was in 2010, and saw the Brumbies come out victoriouos 19-17.

Rugby Informer’s prediction: The Brumbies have had consistently excellent performances against all their opposition so far, while the Stormers have had a slow start to the season, losing their opening games and narrowly beating the Chiefs. The Stormers have a stronger line-up this weekend, and with the absence of kicker Nic White from the Brumbies, Stormers should have the edge. Stormers by 5.

Kick-off is at 19:10 (SA time) from Newlands, Cape Town.

Stormers team:

15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11. Gerhard van den Heever, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Don Armand, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Nick Groom, 21. Damian de Allende, 22. Jaco Taute

Brumbies team:

15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Ian Prior, 8. Fotu Auelua, 7. George Smith, 6. Ben Mowen (Captain), 5. Sam Carter, 4. Peter Kimlin, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio
Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Scott Fardy, 19. Colby Faingaa, 20. Nic White, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Clyde Rathbone

Want to know more about what’s happening this weekend? Check out more Super Rugby previews.