Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith will start against the Stormers in Sunday’s Super Rugby match, where he is facing an unexpected showdown with Bryan Habana.

News filtered out of the Hurricanes camp last night that Smith had made the call to lead his team on to Newlands for their season opener.

The decision will not have been an easy one for Smith, who returned just three weeks ago from a three month round the world trip and has not played in his team’s three warm-up matches.

The Hurricanes and Stormers match kicks off 3.05am on Sunday.

In the opening game on Friday the Crusaders take on the Blues at Eden Park at 6.35pm.

At 8.40pm the Brumbies will face Western Force.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi