Prop Steven Kitshoff will lead the Stormers on his return to the starting lineup to face the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
Kitshoff takes over from Siya Kolisi, who is being rested for the final match of the Stormers’ Australasian tour.
There are a total of six changes to the team that went down to the Reds in Brisbane last weekend. Kitshoff forms an experienced front row with hooker Bongi Mbonambi and tighthead Wilco Louw.
The injury-enforced absence of lock Chris van Zyl sees Salmaan Moerat come into the No 4 jumper, with Cobus Wiese shifting to No 5.
Ernst van Rhyn will make his Stormers debut at openside flank in place of Kolisi in a young loose trio including Kobus van Dyk and Jaco Coetzee.
The only change to the backline sees Herschel Jantjies return at scrumhalf for Justin Phillips, who is back on the bench this weekend.
Meanwhile, Seabelo Senatla is set to make his first appearance of the season from the replacements bench.
Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
