Stefan Ungerer to lead Stormers XXIII in Currie Cup Cape Derby

There is just one change to the starting line-up for the clash at Boland Stadium, which kicks off at 15:00 on Sunday.

Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis has been ruled out with a minor knee injury, and his place is taken by Dominic Malgas, who impressed off the replacements bench in the win against the Griquas last week.

There are two changes on the bench, with lock Gary Porter back from international duty with the Zimbabwe Sables and utility back Kian Davis set to make his Currie Cup debut when he takes the field.

Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said that his team is intent on building on their opening win last week when they make the trip out to the Winelands this weekend.

"We have some good continuity in the team this week, so hopefully we see an improvement in all areas. Wellington is renowned as a tough place to play, so we know we will have to make a step-up.

"We did not have any of the returning Junior Springboks available for selection this week, but we should see some of them come into the mix going forward.

"It will take a big effort from all involved to get the result we want, but there is no doubting the character and the fight in this group, and we will see that for 80 minutes on Sunday," he said.

Meanwhile, for Boland, former Stormers veteran Alistair Vermaak will make his debut against his former team.

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. Domenic 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 coachesâ™ 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 Jeandre 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.

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.

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

Stormers XXIII - 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Stefan Ungerer (c), 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.

Boland - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Johnre Stopforth, 20 Taine Booysen, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 David Brits.

READ MORE: Young Lions ready to turn Currie Cup around against Pumas at Ellis Park