Vermaak debuts, Smit at fullback for Kavaliers against Stormers XXIII

Former DHL Stormers veteran Alistair Vermaak will make his Sanlam Boland Kavaliers debut against his former team in Round 2 of the Carling Currie Cup on Sunday in Wellington.

Vermaak is among the three only changes in the starting lineup made by head coach Hawies Fourie, with Gift Dlamini getting his first start while Domenic Smit comes in for the injured James Tedder in the fullback position.

Dlamini partners with captain Thurlow Marsh and Khwezi Mafu to form the loose trio.

Smit’s promotion to the starting lineup makes room for Springbok Sevens David Brits to be named among the replacements.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged, signalling the coaches’ backing of the tried and tested combinations, with left winger Jayden Bantom to resume the kicking duties in the absence of Tedder.

Marlyn Williams packs down with Jeandré Leonard as the pair continue to form a formidable second row combination.

Recently recruited front rower Heiko Pohlmann along with Llewellyn Classen and Mthokozisi Gumede, will provide cover for Vermaak, Joshua Eras and Dayan van der Westhuizen. Pohlmann will be making his debut when introduced off the bench.

Taine Booysen and Johnré Stopforth complete the forward cover on the reserve bench while Chriswill September, Ashlon Davids and Brits complete the replacements.

The halfback pairing of flyhalf Chris Smit and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder continues to build their partnership.

Experienced duo of Jurick Lewis and Lunathi Nxele have been selected at outside and inside centre, respectively.

The match kicks off at 3pm, with the Kavaliers’ bus arriving at 1.50pm. Tickets can be bought at www.bolandrugby.co.za/tickets

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom; 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Taine Booysen, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 David Brits.

DHL Stormers XXIII starting XV: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu; 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Stefan Ungerer (capt); 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe; 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard; 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Kian Davis.