Duane Vermeulen returns to the Stormers starting lineup in one of four changes to the side to face the Bulls at Newlands.
Vermeulen missed the final two weeks of the Stormers' Australasian tour as part of a rest agreement with Saru, but will return to lead the side in this crucial derby clash.
Nizaam Carr, who enjoyed a strong outing against the Force, will make way for Vermeulen, with Schalk Burger shifting to openside and Siya Kolisi completing the back row.
Among the backs, injuries to Kobus van Wyk (knee) and Dillyn Leyds (shoulder) see Johnny Kotze and Pat Howard come in, with the latter set to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut after returning from his loan stint with Munster in Ireland.
The final change sees Nic Groom take over at scrumhalf from Louis Schreuder, who drops to the bench.
Stormers – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
