Cape Town - Dillyn Leyds will start at flyhalf in one of four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday (kick-off 08:35 SA time).
The versatile Leyds, who last played at flyhalf in the Stormers' victory against the Blues at Newlands last year, moves into the pivot position in place of the injured Damian Willemse.
Leyds' place on the wing is taken by Seabelo Senatla, with EW Viljoen coming in at outside centre for the injured JJ Engelbrecht in the only other backline change.
In the front row, experienced loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg makes his first start of the season, with Steven Kitshoff set to make an impact from the bench, while in the loose trio Cobus Wiese is back at blindside flank after missing out last week.
Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck said that his team will give it their all in Christchurch.
"The players are very excited about what we can achieve against the Crusaders this week, we certainly will not be holding back,” Fleck said.
"It has been a good week of preparation and the mindset is that we are ready to rise to the challenge that the defending champions will present on their home turf," he said.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Peter Samu, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele
Stormers
15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Dillyn Leyds, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Resnburg
Substitutes: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 George Whitehead
