Super Rugby Round 7 team announcements

Hurricanes vs Waratahs 

All Black Winger Cory Jane is set for his first appearance of the season after missing the opening five matches with a neck injury suffered in the build up to the season opener against the Sunwolves in Japan.

In the loose forwards Reed Prinsep moves off the reserves to take his place at No 8 for the third time this season after Ardie Savea suffered suffered a calf strain against the Reds last Saturday in Brisbane.

And in the front row, Ben May gets his first start of 2017 at loose head prop for Chris Eves, who moves to the reserves. 

Waratahs general Bernard Foley will return to the starting line after being cleared to play, meanwhile Horne has been ruled out forcing a shuffle to the back line with Israel Folau moving back to outside centre and Bryce Hegarty stepping into the fullback position; Irae Simone will slot into the #22 jersey. Winger Taqele Naiyaravoro and Cam Clark make up the wings with Michael Wells starts at number eight and Paddy Ryan in at Loosehead Prop. 

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Sunwolves vs Bulls

The Sunwolves head into the match following their bye and this week the welcome the return of Fumiaki Tanaka to the starting line-up. He will link up with Hayden Cripps playing at fly-half, while recently recruited Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco starts at 8.

Heiichiro Ito is replaced Yasuo Yamaj at tighthead prop, while Sam Wykes and Uwe Helu switch places in the starting line-up and on the bench. 

Nollis Marais has given starts to Tian Schoeman and Jannes Kirsten for the first time this season as the Bulls face the Sunwolves.

Schoeman will start in place of Handré Pollard, who along with Jesse Kriel, are being rested as part of the SA Rugby agreement. Kriel's spot at fullback goes to Warrick Gelant.

Kirsten will start in place of injured Ruan Steenkamp, while Hanro Liebenberg returns at No8 and takes over from injured Arno Botha. Jason Jenkins will partner RG Snyman at lock, with Lood de Jager falling out the match 23 with a quad strain.

Martin Dreyer, who replaced John-Roy Jenkinson on tour, will take over from Jacobie Adriaanse on the bench, while Jacques Potgieter, Ivan van Zyl and Franco Naude, who also arrived from South Africa earlier in the week, will all play off the bench. 

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Highlanders vs Blues 

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has refreshed his forward pack and welcomes back All Black loose forward Liam Squire and Captain Ben Smith for the crucial clash with the Blues. Preparing for what will no doubt be a physical encounter Brown has restored Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Alex Ainley and Elliot Dixon to the starting eight. Liam Squire makes his return after four weeks on the sideline and will make an impact from the bench.        

The Blues welcome back three key players in a largely unchanged team for their clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Steven Luatua returns after suspension which allows coach Tana Umaga to rest Jimmy Tupou.

Young flanker Blake Gibson is back to full fitness to resume his openside loose forward role, while 21-year-old All Black Rieko Ioane earns a recall to the starting line-up after an outstanding contribution off the bench in the win over the Western Force last weekend. 

The replacements also include the long-awaited return of Sonny Bill Williams after rupturing his Achilles at the Rio Olympics in August

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Brumbies vs Reds

Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham has recalled lock Rory Arnold to the starting side in place of regular skipper Sam Carter, who is rotated out of the line-up. Arnold will partner Blake Enever at lock whilst prop Scott Sio makes a first start of the season with Nic Mayhew reverting to the replacements. Scott Fardy will be leading the side in Carter's absence.

There is one change in the back-line as well with ex-Reds utility Tom Banks handed a Brumbies debut on the left wing with James Dargaville taking a spot amongst the substitutes.

Reds head coach Nick Stiles has made a few changes to the match-day 23 to take on the Brumbies with prop Sef Fa’agase returning to the starting XV following his calf injury and Sam Talakai returning to his regular position of tighthead and Taniela Tupou shifted to the reserves.

The only other change to the starting side from last week’s match sees Lachlan Maranta named to make his run-on debut at fullback, in place of Karmichael Hunt who has been ruled out with concussion.

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Sharks vs Jaguares

Head Coach Robert du Preez has made just three changes to his Sharks team named to face the Jaguares round seven of Super Rugby. .

Beast Mtawarira makes a welcomed return to the starting line-up along with fellow Springbok Stephan Lewies, who swops places with Ruan Botha for this match.   
Botha joins Thomas du Toit and Philip van der Walt and Chilliboy Ralepelle on the bench. 

The Jaguares return to action following a break last weekend. The Jaguares welcome the return of veteran prop Ramiro Herrera at tighthead prop, while the rest of the starting pack remains the same following their 22-8 victory over the Reds.

The only other change in the starting XV sees the return of Nicolas Sanchez ,following his suspension, he replaces Juan Martin Hernandez at fly-half. 

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Stormers vs Chiefs

The Stormers have made just 2 changes from the side that beat the Cheetahs 53-10 last weekend with Dewaldt Duvenage replacing the concussed Jano Vermaak .

The only change to the forward pack sees a fit-again Wilco Louw take his place at tighthead prop alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who earns his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby cap.

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to the starting fifteen which defeated the Bulls 28-12 last Saturday in Hamilton.

In the forwards, Kane Hames and Atu Moli are promoted from the bench to start alongside veteran hooker Hika Elliot in the front row. Taranaki loose-forward Lachlan Boshier returns to the 23 to replace the injured Sam Cane. 

There are two changes to  the backline with  Toni Pulu returning from a hamstring strain to start on the right wing and  fan favourite Stephen Donald moving from the bench to claim jersey 12.  

 

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Western Force vs Southern Kings

The Western Force have made just one change to their starting XV for the game against the Southern Kings. 

Captain Ben McCalman will make his first appearance of the season off the bench, having missed the opening 6 rounds through injury. 

Michael Ruru is the only change in the run-on side this week and will make his starting debut, replacing the injured Ryan Louwrens.

The experience of co-captains Ben McCalman and Heath Tessmann will provide a huge boost for the Force off the bench.

 Luke Burton is also among the reserves and is set to appear in his first match of the season after returning from injury.

Curtis Rona has recovered from the concussion he suffered against the Crusaders and will wear jersey No.23.

 

Southern Kings head coach, Deon Davids, has made three changes to his side that will take on Western Force. Following the hamstring injury to experienced centre, Waylon Murray, Luzuko Vulindlu will replace Murray in the starting line-up.

Makazole Mapimpi has been included in the starting XV, taking the place of Alshaun Bock at right wing. 

The only change in the forwards pack sees Michael Willemse making a return to the starting XV in a rotational selection which sees Kurt Haupt not being included in the match-23 squad this week.

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