Andries Bekker has been ruled out but his fellow-Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga returns to the Stormers team to face the Chiefs in their Super 14 rugby match in Cape Town on Sunday morning.

Hopes were raised that lock Bekker might have recovered from a rib knock in time to play against the third-placed visitors but coach Rassie Erasmus decided to be cautious.

It means that Hilton Lobberts and AJ Venter will be paired at lock once more, with Bekker and Adriaan Fondse both ruled out.

"It is not the ideal combination but fortunately Hilton is settling down well now as a front lock and I thought he did well for us when he played for us against the Hurricanes," Erasmus said.

Winger Chavhanga, one of the stars of the 2008 campaign but out for much of this one with injury, returns to the starting lineup for Gcobani Bobo, who has an ankle niggle.

It means Peter Grant and Dylan des Fountain will remain in midfield, while Willem de Waal keeps his place at five-eighth.

Springbok Ricky Januarie is confined to the bench again, with Dewaldt Duvenhage impressive last week at halfback.

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Dylan des Fountein, Peter Grant, Sireli Naqelevuki, Willem de Waal, Dewaldt Duvenage, Luke Watson, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (capt), AJ Venter, Hilton Lobberts, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, JD Moller. Res: Schalk Brits, Wicus Blaauw, Martin Muller, Pieter Louw, Ricky Januarie, Morgan Newman, Tiger Bax.

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