Schalk out for three more weeks as Jantjies, Taute and Cilliers start

Stormers captain Schalk Burger will miss at least the first three games of the Super 15, and Jean de Villiers will lead the team in their opening match of the 2013 campaign.

Despite injuries to Burger, Eben Etzebeth (lock) and Juan de Jongh (centre), Stormers coach Allister Coetzee named a strong team to face the Bulls at Loftus on Friday night.

Rynhardt Elstadt will wear the No7 jersey, with Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermeulen making up the remainder of the back row while flyhalf Elton Jantjies, fullback Jaco Taute and prop Pat Cilliers make their debuts.

Burger has spent a year on the sidelines with a knee injury following two surgeries. He was making good progress in the pre-season, but a torn calf muscle has forced Coetzee to take a conservative approach with his comeback.

"It's an unfortunate scenario with Schalk - first it was the damn knee and now it's a simple calf injury," Coetzee said.

"I suppose these kinds of injuries occur after being out for such a long time. I won't risk him and I won't play him until he's 100% ready."

Coetzee has also taken a small risk by combining a new 9-10-12 axis in scrumhalf Nic Groom, Jantjies and inside centre Damian de Allende. But it is a justifiable risk, says Coetzee.

"It wasn't necessary to pick Jean de Villiers at 12 because Damian has a good head on his shoulders," Coetzee said.

"It's more difficult defensively in the No13 channel, which is why Jean is there. Also, Elton is an experienced flyhalf so I'm not concerned about that selection."

De Allende is a man the Stormers rate highly due to his size and excellent distribution skills - something that the skipper feels could help them this season.

"Damian is a great prospect and you wouldn't think that he is playing in his first Super rugby game," De Villiers said.

"He enjoys this level and he enjoys this environment and is very good at what he does."

Former Lions hooker Martin Bezuidenhout will also earn his first Stormers cap if he comes off the bench.

Stormers: Jaco Taute, Gio Aplon, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, RynhardtElstadt, Siya Kolisi, Andries Bekker, De Kock Steenkamp, Pat Cilliers, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Frans Malherbe, Don Armand, Nizaam Carr, Dewaldt Duvenage, Gerhard van den Heever, Joe Pietersen.