The Bok trio are back in the starting line-up for the important clash against the defending champions from Christchurch, which kicks off at 17h15 on Saturday.

De Allende takes his place in midfield alongside Joshua Stander (flyhalf), with Jean-Luc du Plessis and Dan Kriel on the replacements bench.

In the forward pack, Kolisi and Du Toit are on the flanks with Jaco Coetzee at the back of the scrum, while Cobus Wiese starts in the second row next to Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth.

Experienced Springbok front ranker Frans Malherbe is set to provide an impact in the second half.

For the visitors, All Black lock Sam Whitelock returns to captain the Crusaders, having re-joined the squad in Cape Town earlier this week.

The Crusaders have won their last five matches against South African opposition in the Republic, including last week’s victory over the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria, while the DHL Stormers will be out to improve on their three wins (all at home) from their last 16 outings against New Zealand teams. 

What they said:

DHL Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck said his team are looking forward to playing at DHL Newlands again: “We have a good home record and this is another great opportunity for us to perform in front of our supporters. We have put the hard work in on the training pitch and we want to ensure we are focused on Saturday so that we can be as accurate as possible.”

DHL Stormers captain Siya Kolisi added that his team are looking forward to an electric atmosphere at their home match: “We know that we will get great support from the DHL Newlands faithful and will do everything we can to get the win for them.”

Teams:

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan Kriel.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower. Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Head to head:
Played: 22
DHL Stormers won: 4
Crusaders won: 17
Draw: 1
DHL Stormers points: 446 
Crusaders points: 656
Average score: 20-30

Match information:
Date: Saturday, 18 May 2019
SA time: 17h15 
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, AJ Jacobs
Television Match Official: Marius Jonker
TV: SuperSport1

Other matches in Round 14:

Friday, 17 May
09h35: Hurricanes vs Jaguares, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday, 4 May 
09h35: Blues v Chiefs, Eeden Park, Auckland 
11h45: Reds vs Waratahs, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Byes: Brumbies, Cell C Sharks, Sunwolves.