Stormers vs Scarlets: Muller and Pead handed first starts as Kolisi rests

Two young players get their chance in the Stormers starting team for the round-four URC game against the Scarlets. Markus Muller makes his first URC start at inside centre and Haashim Pead starts at scrumhalf for the first time, with Paul de Villiers captaining the side at DHL Stadium on Saturday 24 October. Kick-off is at 4pm.

De Villiers keeps the armband he picked up last week, when centre Ruhan Nel was pulled out before the Champions Cup game against Bristol.

The Stormers go into the game on the back of a 49-12 win over Bristol Bears in their Champions Cup opener last weekend, and they have made several other changes after it.

Rotation across the team

Warrick Gelant takes over at fullback from Damian Willemse, who has the weekend off. In the back row Hacjivah Dayimani is back at No 8 after recovering from concussion. That moves Evan Roos to blindside flank, with Siya Kolisi rested.

The second row is new as well: Riley Norton and Connor Evans start together at lock for the first time, while JD Schickerling and Adré Smith are on the bench. Up front, the front row is made up entirely of Springboks: Zachary Porthen, André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu.

"There are some really dynamic combinations both in the starting lineup and the replacements bench," said John Dobson, the Stormers' director of rugby.

Kotze appeal

Off the field, hooker JJ Kotze was shown a red card last week and banned for three matches, SuperSport reported. The Stormers are fighting the suspension, and a hearing was due to be held later on Wednesday 21 October.