The DHL Stormers have announced a 27-man touring squad for their upcoming trip to Australasia, which will see them take on the Highlanders, the Hurricanes, the Waratahs and the Western Force on their 2015 Vodacom Super Rugby away trip.

Captain Duane Vermeulen will lead a squad with no selection surprises and a playing group which includes hooker Bongi Mbonambi, prop Oli Kebble, lock Eben Etzebeth, flank Mike Rhodes and wing Johnny Kotze – all of whom did not play against the Chiefs at the weekend.

The only player unavailable because of injury is hard-working flanker Rynhardt Elstadt (broken leg – suffered against the Blues in Round 2), with DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee rightfully rewarding those players who have served the team so well thus far in 2015.

The DHL Stormers currently head up the SA Conference with 16 points from 5 matches, whilst they are in 3rd position on the Combined Log – having lost just once in 5 fixtures (2 at home, 3 away).

Coach Coetzee told www.iamastormer.com: “Our loss to the Chiefs was obviously a disappointing one for us, but it’s up to us to bounce back on tour.

“I always say it, but there is not an easy match in Vodacom Super Rugby and it certainly doesn’t get any easier away from home against quality outfits like the Highlanders, Hurricanes, the defending champion Waratahs and the Force.

“That said, we’re a team that enjoys touring. We’re a close squad and even though we have a lot of 1st-time (Super Rugby) tourists in the group, our strong leadership team will give those new players the necessary guidance and support throughout.”

The DHL Stormers will depart for New Zealand – from Cape Town and via Johannesburg and Sydney – on Saturday afternoon. They will arrive in Queenstown on the morning of 23 March (NZ Time).

DHL Stormers touring squad (27):

• Ruan Botha – Lock
• Schalk Burger – Loose forward
• Manuel Carizza – Lock
• Nizaam Carr – Loose forward
• Demetri Catrakilis – Flyhalf
• Kurt Coleman – Flyhalf
• Damian de Allende – Centre
• Juan de Jongh – Centre (Vice-captain)
• Eben Etzebeth – Lock
• Nic Groom – Scrumhalf
• Huw Jones – Centre / wing
• Oli Kebble – Loosehead prop
• Steven Kitshoff – Loosehead prop
• Jean Kleyn – Lock
• Vincent Koch – Tighthead prop
• Cheslin Kolbe – Fullback / wing
• Siya Kolisi – Loose forward
• Johnny Kotze – Wing / centre
• Dillyn Leyds – Wing / fullback / flyhalf
• Frans Malherbe – Tighthead prop
• Bongi Mbonambi – Hooker
• Scarra Ntubeni – Hooker
• Michael Rhodes – Flank/lock
• Louis Schreuder – Scrumhalf
• Kobus van Wyk – Wing / centre
• Alistair Vermaak – Loosehead prop
• Duane Vermeulen – No 8 (Captain)