Robbie Fleck has made eight changes to the Stormers team ahead of their game against the Sunwolves at Newlands on Saturday.

Damian Willemse, Eben Etzebeth and Sikhumbuzo Notshe have been ruled out with injuries, while Damian de Allende was rested for this encounter as part of Springbok resting protocols, while another Bok – Wilco Louw – was benched.

Three new players – Edwill van der Merwe, David Meihuizen and Chris Massyn – will make their Vodacom Super Rugby debuts after being included in the playing squad.

In the backline, Craig Barry comes in for Seabelo Senatla on the right wing, while Dan Kriel takes over from De Allende at inside centre.

Van der Merwe starts at left wing, with Dillyn Leyds shifting to fullback in the absence of Willemse, and Jean-Luc du Plessis is preferred at flyhalf ahead of the benched Josh Stander.

Among the forwards, openside flank Ernst van Rhyn comes into the loose trio with Jaco Coetzee moving from the side of the scrum to No 8.

Chris van Zyl has been brought in to partner Cobus Wiese in the second row, while in the front row Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi replace Louw and Scarra Ntubeni respectively.

Stormers – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Josh Stander, 23 EW Viljoen.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix