The Stormers from Cape Town will take on the New Zealand Conference-leading Blues on Friday in Auckland without three of their key back line players.

Injuries have ruled out key Springbok trio Peter Grant (ankle), Jean de Villiers (groin) and Jaque Fourie (chest) of Friday’s Super Rugby crunch fixture.

Grant and Fourie are expected to be fit for next week’s match against the Brumbies while De Villiers is consulting a specialist to determine the severity of his injury.

Subsequently, Lionel Cronje will start at flyhalf and Juan de Jongh and young Johann Sadie will form an all-new midfield combination with Danie Poolman, who joined the squad earlier in the week, coming onto a five-two split bench.

“Sadie is an out-an-out 13 and can also cover wing, whilst Juan can play both 12 and 13,” said coach Allister Coetzee.

“Whilst they do not have much experience together as a combination, Juan is an international and Sadie has that x factor. The players and team are excited about the possibilities,” added Coetzee.

There’s only one change in the pack with CJ van der Linde replacing Brok Harris at tighthead. Due to injuries to Tony Woodcock and Charlie Faumuina, hooker Tom McCartney will scrum down against the Springbok front rower at loosehead.

Fit-again Jerome Kaino boosts the loose trio for what is expected to be a major battle between the respective back rows with Chris Lowrey dropping to the bench.

Rene Ranger has surprisingly been benched as Sherwin Stowers gets an opportunity in the No 11 jersey, Jared Payne shifts from fullback to outside centre in place of the injured Benson Stanley and Lachie Munro is entrusted at fullback.

DHL Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt,  3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Steven Kitshoff, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Danie Poolman, 22 Nick Koster.

Blues: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Rene Ranger.

Source: sarugby.com

Pic: stuff.co.nz