Eben Etzebeth will captain the DHL Stormers against the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Coach Robbie Fleck has decided to rest regular skipper Siya Kolisi.
In the front row, props Oli Kebble and Frans Malhelbe will earn their first starts of the season in place of JC Janse van Rensburg and Wilco Louw. Nizaam Carr replaces Kolisi, but he will start at No 8, with Sikhumbuzo Notche shifting to the side of the scrum.
In the back division, Fleck has gone with a halfback-axis of Dewaldt Duvenhuge and Robert du Preez, in the absence of Jano Vermaak (rested) and Jean-Luc du Plessis (injured).
Centre Dan du Plessis and wing Bjorn Basson have been called up to the starting lineup to replace injured duo Dan Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe.
Additionally, Fleck has included three potential Super Rugby debutants in the form of loose forward Jaco Coetzee, scrumhalf Justin Phillips and utility back Damian Willemse.
Stormers – 15 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris Van Zyl, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Damian Willemse.
Photo: Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix
