Jurie van Vuuren, the 21-year-old lock, will start for the Stormers against the Blues at Newlands on Saturday.
With Jean Klein out because of a hamstring injury, coach Allister Coetzee has fast-tracked Van Vuuren into his starting side. Fit-again Bok flank Siya Kolisi has subsequently been drafted onto the bench in place of Van Vuuren.
'Losing Jean is a blow, in terms of continuity, but we didn't want to risk him, after all it's a long season', said Coetzee.
Coetzee says while the youngsters did well against the Bulls last week, it's important that they back up the performance against an experienced Blues team.
'Tony Woodcock has played almost 150 Super Rugby games and over 100 Tests, whereas our our tight five combined does not even boast 90 appearances. We're expecting a massive onslaught from the Blues,' Coetzee added.
There will also be another milestone for captain Duane Vermeulen to celebrate, as he will earn his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby cap.
Stormers – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Siya Kolisi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
