Super Rugby preview: Stormers take on Highlanders at Newlands

Milestone game: Chris King (right) will lace up his boots for his 100th game for the Highlanders

Schalk Burger: Starts for the Stormers

The Highlanders will be looking to secure another win on the road in South Africa when they take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

The New Zealand franchise upset Super Rugby leaders the Sharks in Durban last time, pulling off a 34-18 victory to make it three wins in a row.

Next up is a Stormers side who will be aiming to get back to winning ways following a 35-22 reverse at the Cheetahs last time.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has made four changes for Saturday’s home clash, as Schalk Burger starts.

Experienced Springbok flank Burger comes in for Siya Kolisi at number seven and Kurt Coleman will make his first start of 2014 at fly-half.

Fit-again hooker Scarra Ntubeni returns to the hooking spot and hard-running winger Sailosi Tagicakibau will start on the wing.

“Having Scarra back to fitness is a good thing for us. We have spoken about our set-piece, so it’s all about trying to get consistency there,” coach Coetzee explained to club’s official site.

“Players like Deon Fourie and Siya Kolisi can make a big impact for us off the bench – they’re game sharp and aware of the roles they need to fill.

“At the same time, I thought Schalk Burger and Kurt Coleman – who are starting this week – made big impacts off the bench against the Cheetahs.

“Kurt, in particular, has been very patient. He started the season late because of injury after a strong Absa Currie Cup campaign in 2013 and he went on our Super Rugby tour without playing a minute – he deserves this starting opportunity after showing some good touches against the Cheetahs.”

Duo return

For the Highlanders, Patrick Osborne and Craig Millar returned to New Zealand earlier this week after suffering injuries in the game against the Sharks.

Osborne has re-aggravated the high ankle injury received in the Round 2 game against the Blues and Millar received a left shoulder injury.

Matias Diaz has joined the team in South Africa and fills the front row reserve spot on the bench.

The rest of the team remains largely unchanged with Chris King lacing up his boots for his 100th game for the Highlanders in Super Rugby.

You can see all the action from Newlands live on Sky Sports 3 – Red Button or Sky Sports Xtra from 2pm.

Stormers: 15 Taute, 14 de Allende, 13 de Jongh, 12 de Villiers (c), 11 Tagicakibau, 10 Coleman, 9 Groom; 1 Kitshoff, 2 Ntubeni, 3 Malherbe, 4 Botha, 5 Rhodes, 6 Carr, 7 Burger, 8 Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Fourie, 17 Kebble, 18 Harris, 19 van Vuuren, 20 Kolisi, 21 Schreuder, 22 Grant, 23 van Wyk.

Highlanders: 15 B Smith, 14 Buckman, 13 Fekitoa, 12 Treeby, 11 Renata, 10 Sopoaga, 9 A Smith; 1 Hames, 2 Coltman, 3 King, 4 Wheeler, 5 Bekhuis, 6 Dixon, 7 Hardie, 8 Mani.
Replacements: 16 Mitchell, 17 Daz, 18 Fia, 19 Hoeata, 20 Christie, 21 Tanaka, 22 Emery, 23 Burleigh.

Article source: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-local-players-make-england-debuts-1-6005709

Super Rugby preview: Stormers take on Highlanders at Newlands