12/03/2008 13:54

Cape Town - Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has announced his team to play the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, on Friday.

Kick-off is at 08:35, South African time.

The only change to the team sees the return of Springbok flank Schalk Burger to his customary No 6 position. He takes over from Luke Watson, who was outstanding in that position in the victory over the Reds last Saturday.

Watson moves back to the No 8 position, where he played since the start of the competition. He replaces Robbie Diack, who reverts to the substitutes' bench. Pieter Myburgh falls out of the match 22.

Erasmus said it was difficult to leave out Diack. "Robbie is an excellent player, we all know how good Luke is and Francois is an unsung hero. Pieter is going to be a really good player.

"We will need all of them over the next 10 to 11 weeks. The plan always was to start rotating them some time. It is not about any individual. We are busy with a process."

Erasmus, who tasted his first victory with the Stormers the past Saturday, regards the Chiefs as a tough nut to crack.

"If we arrive in the right frame of mind against the Chiefs, I believe it will be a very close game."

Stormers:

Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, JD Moller.

Reserves - Deon Fourie, Brok Harris, Ross Skeate, Robbie Diack, Bolla Conradie, Gio Aplon, Dylan Des Fountain.