Flank Paul de Villiers will continue to lead the Stormers when they take on the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium on Saturday (4pm kickoff).
De Villiers stepped up to captain the side last week when centre Ruhan Nel was withdrawn from the squad ahead of their Champions Cup encounter with Bristol Bears.
The side features a blend of youth and Springbok experience, with De Villiers joined in the 23-man squad by three fellow former Junior Springbok captains in Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Among the backline changes, Markus Muller makes his first start for the franchise at inside centre, partnering Wandisile Simelane in midfield as Nel continues to rest as a precaution.
The eperienced Warrick Gelant starts at fullback, while Haashim Pead earns his first start at scrumhalf. Experienced international Cobus Reinach and young prospect Yaqeen Ahmed are named among the replacements to provide second-half impact.
In the loose trio, Hacjivah Dayimani returns at No 8 after recovering from concussion, prompting Evan Roos to shift to blindside flank.
An entirely new lock combination sees Norton pair up with Connor Evans, while JD Schickerling and Adré Smith are slated to come off the bench. Up front, an all-Springbok front row of Porthen, André-Hugo Venter, and Ntuthuko Mchunu is backed up by front-row replacements Olly Reid, Lukhanyo Vokozela, and Neethling Fouché.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson expressed confidence in the dynamic lineup as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record against the Welsh side.
“We have four players in Markus Muller, Riley Norton, Olly Reid, and Yaqeen Ahmed who are young enough to be playing for the DHL Stormers Bolts, alongside stalwarts like Deon Fourie, who is the second most-capped player of all time for this club,” said Dobson.
“There are some really dynamic combinations both in the starting lineup and on the replacements bench, and they will all be tested against a Scarlets team that has made an impressive start to the season. We have enjoyed great support this month and everyone is looking forward to an electric atmosphere at DHL Stadium.”
Stormers team for Scarlets:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Paul de Villiers (captain), 5 Connor Evans, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.