The Capetonians will start with an all-new front row, with Corne Fourie and Frans Malherbe on either side of hooker Scarra Ntubeni, while tighthead prop Michael Kumbirai is set to make his debut off the bench. Cobus Wiese comes into the second row alongside Chris van Zyl, with Kobus van Dyk at blindside flank to complete the loose trio with captain Siya Kolisi and No 8 Jaco Coetzee.
In the backline, Justin Phillips is in line to make his first start of the season at scrumhalf, with Ruhan Nel returning at outside centre.
The Cape side have lost Eben Etzebeth, Dan du Plessis and Wilco Louw through injury the past weekend, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is also unavailable having returned home for the birth of his first child.
Overall, the DHL Stormers have a good record in Australia, having won four of their last five matches Down Under, but they will have to give an improved performance against the Queensland side to secure success.
What they said:
DHL Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck said they are excited about what they can do at Suncorp Stadium on Friday: “We have had a good week of preparations here and the players are looking forward to the opportunity this weekend.”
Teams:
Reds: 15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Sefa Naivalu, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Jack Hardy, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith. Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Michael Kumbirai (DHL Stormers debut), 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 SP Marais.
Head to head:
Played: 20
Reds won: 8
DHL Stormers: 12
Reds points: 466
DHL Stormers points: 496
Average score: 23-25
Match information:
Date: Friday, 5 April
SA time: 11h00
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Nic Berry
Television Match Official: James Leckie
TV: SuperSport1
