Battle in the centres

Juan de Jongh returns to the Stormers midfield tomorrow where he will continue his partnership with Jean de Villiers, while centre Wynand Olivier starts for the Bulls.

De Jongh missed last weekend's Super 15 season-opener against the Hurricanes because of a jaw injury, and Olivier was on the sidelines for the Bulls' 18-13 win over the Sharks at Loftus with a wrist injury.

Both Springboks will go forward to their respective sides. De Jongh's silky stepping, in particular, is eagerly anticipated when he comes up against new Sharks centre JP Pietersen.

The Stormers host the Sharks in week two's final, a most intriguing match. Neither side were at their best last week, but the Stormers managed a 39-26 win over a depleted Hurricanes outfit.

The fixture list has thrown up two tough away games for the Sharks to start. But John Plumtree's men know they can be much more clinical than they were at Loftus seven days ago. And they will have to be because the Stormers will also improve after some rustiness last week.

The return of Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant from Japan is another boost for the home team. Grant has been named on the bench and will certainly have an influence on the game in the final quarter.

Lock Andries Bekker was untouchable in the lineout last week and to combat his aerial threat, Plumtree selected former Stormer Ross Skeate in the second row. Skeate is a lineout specialist and will be detailed to earn his side good first-phase ball.

The Sharks took few positives from the Bulls' loss, but one aspect that pleased vice-captain Bismarck du Plessis was their fitness.

"During the last 20 minutes of the Bulls game, we showed that our fitness levels were good. During that time we tried to play better rugby and kept the ball and attacked well," he said.

The Stormers won the corresponding fixture 32-12 last year, but that match took place midway through the season when both sides were well into the tournament. It will have little bearing on trying to predict this weekend's outcome.

The Lions host the Hurricanes at Ellis Park tonight and, given the paucity of the visitors' playing resources through injury and transfers, coupled with the Lions' new confidence, the home team should be favourites.

If the Lions win, it would be the first time since 2001 (when they played in a Cats incarnation) that they would start the season with two consecutive victories.

The Bulls and the Cheetahs will slug it out in Bloemfontein tomorrow, where the home team will be desperate for victory after last week's nail-biting 27-25 defeat by the Lions in Johannesburg.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has made two changes.

The first change is forced by Andries Strauss's suspension, Phillip Snyman will be his replacement at inside centre, while wing Willie Le Roux comes in for the injured Dusty Noble.

The Cheetahs have never defeated the Bulls in Bloemfontein in a Super rugby match.

Finally, Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn needs nine points to become the first South African to reach 1000 points in Super rugby.