Flanker Jaco Coetzee and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies will both return from minor injuries to start for the Stormers in this Saturday’s clash with the Jaguares.
There are four changes in total for the Stormers’ encounter with the team from Argentina, which kicks off at 3:05pm local time on Saturday.
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe and lock JD Schickerling both come into the starting lineup after playing off the bench last week, while both Coetzee and Jantjies are also back.
The Stormers will be looking to make it four straight wins this season, but coach John Dobson says his team want to raise their standards this week in what should be a tough examination.
‘We have managed to keep some settled combinations and we would like to see the result of that out on the pitch on Saturday with a clinical performance.
‘We know that we will have to be as accurate as possible, but that is a challenge we have embraced as we look to play the kind of rugby that our fans deserve.’
Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made eight changes to the Jaguares starting lineup ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Stormers at Newlands.
The 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby finalists will run out with an all-new front row compared to the one which started in last weekend’s victory over the Reds. Santiago Socino comes in for Julian Montoya, with the latter dropping to the bench, while Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Santiago Medrano have also been given starting berths.
In the second row, Guido Petti – who has won the most lineouts in the competition thus far – has been replaced by the returning Matías Alemanno. The back row is also reshuffled with Francisco Gorrissen coming in for the in-form Marcos Kremer, with Tomas Lezana switching to the other side of the scrum.
The Argentinians will be led by scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli, who has replaced Felipe Ezcurra, while the tournament’s top point-scorer, Domingo Miotti will continue at flyhalf ahead of Joaquin Diaz Bonilla.
In further changes among the backs Emiliano Boffelli shifts to the last line of defence, with Sebastian Cancelliere getting a start on the left wing. Juan Cruz Mallia keeps his place at inside centre with Santiago Chocobares being preferred over the experienced Matías Moroni, who will provide cover from the bench.
After three consecutive home games to begin their season, the South Americans have now embarked on a three-match road trip to South Africa, with matches against the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks to follow Saturday’s encounter with the Stormers.
THE STORMERS HAVE PLAYED THE JAGUARES SIX TIMES IN SUPER RUGBY SINCE 2016; THE STORMERS HAVE WON FOUR MATCHES AND LOST TWICE.
The Stormers’ four wins out of six matches give them a record of winning 67% of their matches against the Jaguares regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Cape Town, which is home for the Stormers and the venue where the teams have met three times.
The South Africans have won all three matches in Cape Town, which gives them a record of winning 100% of their matches against the Jaguares at home.
Average score when the Stormers play the Jaguares in Cape Town: Stormers 32 Jaguares 18.
Average score: Stormers 24 Jaguares 19
Last five results
Sat, 04 May 2019 Stormers 25-30 Jaguares @Buenos Aires
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 Stormers 35-08 Jaguares @Cape Town
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 Stormers 14-25 Jaguares @Buenos Aires
Sat, 17 Feb 2018 Stormers 28-20 Jaguares @Cape Town
Sat, 04 Mar 2017 Stormers 32-25 Jaguares @Cape Town
Stormers’ overall record against the Jaguares
Played 6, Wins 4, Losses 2, Draws 0
TEAMS
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Ernst van Rhyn, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis
Jaguares
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Santiago Chocobares, 12 Juan Cruz Mallía, 11 Sebastien Cancelliere, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli (captain) , 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Francisco Gorrison , 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Santiago Socino, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chapparro
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou , 22 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 23 Matias Moroni
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-Off local: 15:05
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 1: Egon Seconds Assistant Ref 2: Griffin Colby
TMO: Willie Vos
