By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been ruled out for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions in Cape Town on Saturday.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has a groin injury, and is replaced in the No 10 jersey by Jurie Matthee.
Midfielder Ruhan Nel will also miss the match due to calf injury, with Wandisile Simelane starting at outside centre.
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will bring up 100 appearances for the Stormers against Lions.
The 32-year-old nearly made the decision to walk away from the game, but he was persuaded by his loved ones to continue, which led to him eventually joining the Stormers in 2018.
“We have not played at DHL Stadium since early October and it is a big South African derby, so it should be a great day out for everyone,” said director of rugby John Dobson.
“We have been disrupted by some injury concerns this week, but have confidence that every player selected will rise to the occasion.”
Dobson paid tribute to Fouche on reaching this significant milestone.
“The only other props to have reached 100 caps for DHL Stormers are Brok Harris, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff. Neethling is close with all three of them and fully deserves his status alongside them as one of the most dedicated and passionate to have pulled on the jersey.”
Stormers – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.