Last year’s undisputed schoolboy star Damian Willemse is set for his Super Rugby debut this weekend after being named on the Stormers’ bench for their match against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Willemse‚ 18‚ who was at Paul Roos in Stellenbosch and was the SA Schools flyhalf that beat England‚ Wales and France in 2016‚ will earn his chance sooner than expected after injury ruled out Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Robert du Preez will start at flyhalf in Du Plessis’ absence‚ paving the way for Willemse’s debut from the bench.

Coach Robbie Fleck‚ who has never been afraid to select young players‚ had no qualms about picking Willemse for this match.

Fleck also named flyhalf Kurt Coleman on the bench suggesting that Willemse’s role won’t be as a pivot‚ but rather a centre for this encounter.

South African sides face contrasting challenges in Super Rugby South Africa's feline Super Rugby teams have to deal with different foreign challenges‚ with the Cheetahs expected to have an easy time against the Sunwolves while the Lions will be hard-pressed to avenge last year's away defeat to the Jaguares.

“Damian played in the pre-season and was impressive and he is a player to watch‚" Fleck said of the 1.83m tall teenager.

"Giving him exposure in Super Rugby now will hold him in good stead down the line.

“I still have to manage the new players but it’s clear this is a full strength team for this weekend.”

In all Fleck made six changes to the starting lineup after last week’s 32-25 win over the Jaguares at Newlands with regular captain Siya Kolisi rested and lock Eben Etzebeth leading the Stormers for the first time.

On the bench there are also possible debuts for looseforward Jaco Coetzee and scrumhalf Justin Phillips.

Massive injuries but Cheetahs stay focused on own objectives Such is the extent of the injury list at the Cheetahs that coach Franco Smith had to open a spreadsheet to read the names of injured players not available for this weekend’s Super Rugby clash against Japan’s Sunwolves in Bloemfontein.

“Most of the changes are injury enforced‚ with only Siya (Kolisi) and Seabelo Senatla (wing) rested‚” Fleck said.

“But we have been forced to make these changes largely through injury‚ those are the facts and therefore all the players picked have to be ready to play a significant role.

“Wing Bjorn Basson gives us experience in a young backline and bench. He has trained really well after being a late edition to the squad.”

Kings coach Deon Davids was also forced to make five changes‚ and an additional positional switch for the match‚ from the team that beat the Sunwolves 37-23 in Singapore last week.

Following a spate of injuries at lock‚ Irne Herbst is fit for the Cape derby after recovering from a concussion that ruled him out of last weekend’s clash.

Kings receive personnel boost while Franco is ready to 'burn candle at both ends' The Southern Kings are under no illusions that they go into Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Stormers as underdogs but at least they won’t be hobbling into the encounter after receiving a personnel boost this week.

The Kings will also begin the match with a new flank combination‚ as opensider Chris Cloete and blindside Thembelani Bholi make their first starts of the season.

Scrumhalf Ricky Schroeder will make his Super Rugby debut after Louis Schreuder (concussion) and Rudi van Rooyen (ankle) were injured in Singapore last week.

Centre Luzuko Vulindlu‚ who came off the bench in the first two matches of the season‚ will start this weekend in a rotational change that sees Berton Klaasen moving to the bench.

Vulindlu will wear the No12 jersey and the experienced former Bok Waylon Murray‚ who played at inside centre in the past two matches‚ moving to outside centre.

Sharks prop Oosthuizen sings his captain Lambie's praises Sharks and Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen sang the praises of his captain Pat Lambie‚ saying the pivot is one of the best leaders in the Super Rugby tournament.

Southern Kings: 15 Masixole Banda‚ 14 Makazole Mapimpi‚ 13 Waylon Murray‚ 12 Luzuko Vulinduli‚ 11 Malcolm Jaer‚ 10 Lionel Cronje‚ 9 Rick Schroeder‚ 8 Riaan Lerm‚ 7 Themelani Bholi‚ 6 Chris Cloete‚ 5 Irne Herbst‚ 4 Tyler Paul‚ 3 Ross Geldenhuys‚ 2 Michael Willemse‚ 1 Schalk Ferreira (c)

Replacements: 16 Kurt Haupt‚ 17 Schalk van der Merwe‚ 18 Chris Heiberg‚ 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys‚ 20 Andisa Ntsila‚ 21 Johan Steyn‚ 22 Pieter-Steyn de Wet‚ 23 Berton Klaasen

Stormers: 15 SP Marais‚ 14 Dillyn Leyds‚ 13 EW Viljoen‚ 12 Dan du Plessis‚ 11 Bjorn Basson‚ 10 Robert du Preez‚ 9 Dewaldt Duvenage‚ 8 Nizaam Carr‚ 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe‚ 6 Rynhardt Elstadt‚ 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain)‚ 3 Frans Malherbe‚ 2 Bongi Mbonambi‚ 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels‚ 17 JC Janse van Rensburg‚ 18 Wilco Louw‚ 19 Chris Van Zyl‚ 20 Jaco Coetzee‚ 21 Justin Phillips‚ 22 Kurt Coleman‚ 23 Damian Willemse.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport