Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has made seven changes to his side for Saturday’s north-south derby against the Bulls at Newlands (3.05pm).
Captain Siya Kolisi returns to lead from the front in a side that has been boosted by no fewer than four Springboks for the crunch clash against their northern rivals.
The Stormers will have a brand new midfield pairing of JJ Engelbrecht and Damian de Allende.
Engelbrecht, who returns from long-term injury, is a 12-cap Springbok, but last donned the colours of the national team back in 2013.
The duo replaces Dan Kriel and Ruhan Nel, who did duty in the 19-17 defeat to the Brumbies last weekend.
MIDFIELD MAESTRO: Damian de Allende. Photo: Nic Bothma/EPA.
On their inside, Jean-Luc du Plessis returns to the No.10 jumper after he was replaced by Joshua Stander for the Brumbies match.
Up front, coach Robbie Fleck has made four changes.
Kolisi comes into the side at the expense of Ernst van Rhyn, who drops to the bench.
Lock JD Schickerling also makes a welcomed return from injury and replaces Salmaan Moerat in the starting lineup, while fit-again Bok No.4 Eben Etzebeth will look to make an impact off the bench.
CALLED UP: JJ Engelbrecht makes a tackle. Photo: Backpagepix.
The Stormers expect a brutal collision with the Bulls up front and for that reason, Fleck roped in Springbok tighthead Frans Malherbe in place of another Bok, Wilco Louw.
Malherbe will prop up the scrum alongside Steven Kitshoff, who led the team in their last two encounters.
Splitting them in the front row is Scarra Ntubeni, who replaces Springbok Bongi Mbonambi in the starting XV.
HOOKED UP: Scarra Ntubeni. Photo: Backpagepix.
Mbonambi, Louw and Etzebeth will be the three Boks looking to give the Stormers the edge off the bench, while former Sevens flyer Seabelo Senatla should also be watched off the wood.
Stormers:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi ( captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes:
16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla