MIKE BLAIR highlighted Edinburgh’s unity as they get ready to face the Stormers in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash at DHL Stadium.
The knockout game is the capital club’s first-ever fixture in Cape Town, and sees Blair’s side return to South Africa after becoming the first Northern Hemisphere URC team to win in the Rainbow Nation earlier this season with a 21-5 victory over Sharks in Durban.
Scotland winger Darcy Graham will make his 50th appearance for Edinburgh as scrum-half Henry Pyrgos replaces the injured Ben Vellacott in the only change to the side that claimed a 28-11 win over Glasgow Warriors a fortnight ago.
Head coach Blair said: “We’re thankful to our backfield team who were able to able to get us out to Cape Town early, giving us the best possible chance to recover and prepare for Saturday’s match by giving us a full week’s training.
“As a squad, we really benefited from our two-week tour of South Africa back in April, and it’s once again galvanised the guys.
“There’s a great feeling of togetherness with this group. They love playing for each other and representing this club.
“We’ve approached tomorrow night’s match in the same way we have all season. It’s really important for us to stay relaxed and trust what we are trying to do.
“Stormers are a strong side and we know it’s going to be a huge test away from home, but we have belief and confidence in the way we want to play.”
An unchanged back-three sees Argentina international Emiliano Boffelli – this week named in the Pumas squad for the upcoming Summer Series against Scotland – continue at full-back alongside capped wingers Graham and Damien Hoyland.
Centres Chris Dean and Mark Bennett once again link up in midfield as stand-off Blair Kinghorn – a try-scorer against Warriors two weeks ago – and Pyrgos combine at half-back.
Hooker Dave Cherry packs down alongside Scotland props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman as an unaltered lock pairing of Grant Gilchrist and Jamie Hodgson complete the tight-five.
An all-Scotland back-row sees number eight Magnus Bradbury once again selected alongside flankers Luke Crosbie and Hamish Watson.
