Suleiman Hartzenberg will play his 50th game for the DHL Stormers as they take on Cardiff at DHL Stadium on Friday night in the final round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action ahead of the play-offs.
There are several changes to the team as the DHL Stormers look for a fourth straight win to end the league phase of the season.
Gates at DHL Stadium will open at 15h30, with DHL Western Province U21 up against Fidelity ADT Lions U21 in a curtain-raiser that kicks off at 15h45 ahead of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at 19h00.
Hartzenberg is joined by Leolin Zas and Damian Willemse in a potent back three, with Wandisile Simelane joined by Dan du Plessis in midfield. Manie Libbok makes his return from injury and will be partnered by fellow Springbok Herschel Jantjies at halfback.
Scrumhalf Paul de Wet, utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and wing Ben Loader will provide impact in the second half from the replacements bench.
Up front tighthead prop Neethling Fouché makes his return from suspension and will line up alongside Sti Sithole and Joseph Dweba in the front row.
Captain Salmaan Moerat is joined by JD Schickerling in the second row, with Dave Ewers and Louw Nel on the flanks and Marcel Theunissen at the back of the scrum.
Experienced hooker Scarra Ntubeni features on a replacements bench that also includes the likes of props Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi as well as lock Connor Evans and flank Paul de Villiers.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his side understands that they will need to be at their best to continue the winning momentum they have built up in the last month.
“The last three matches at home have seen us gain some confidence and secure our play-off spot with a game to go, but we know we are in for a big test against a Cardiff side that has it all to play for.
“We have made some changes to ensure that we have enough players with recent gametime heading into the play-offs and we are looking forward to seeing what those coming into the mix this week can do.
“We are also very aware that we are unlikely to play at home again this season, so we want to put together a good performance for the fans who have shown us such incredible support,” he said.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ben Loader.