Centre Markus Muller will make his Carling Currie Cup debut for DHL Stormers XXIII in the coastal clash against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The 19-year-old midfielder is at outside centre in one of eight changes to the starting line-up, while his fellow U20 Junior World Champion Danie Kruger and hooker Altus Rabie are also set to make their first appearance in the oldest domestic rugby competition in the world.
It will be a doubleheader at DHL Stadium on Saturday, with the DHL Stormers Bolts in action against Sharks GEN U20 at 12h00 and the DHL Stormers XXIII in action against their opponents from Durban at 15h00.
Muller links up with Josh Boulle in midfield, with Kyle Smith at flyhalf for the first time this season and the experienced Suleiman Hartzenberg making his return on the wing.
In the forward pack, Louw Nel is back from long-term injury to take his place on the side of the scrum, with Gary Porter joining a fit-again Tom Barnard in the second row.
Hencus van Wyk starts at loosehead prop this week, with Kruger and Rabie on a replacements bench that also features scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni, who returns from injury.
Head Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said that preparations have been intense given the short turnaround between matches this week.
“This team is determined to put in a performance that all of us and our fans can be proud of at home this weekend.
“We have been boosted by the inclusion of some players returning to our squad, and we are really looking forward to seeing how the new combinations go out there.
“There is a real desire to make a significant step-up in all departments, and we have packed a lot into a short space of time, so we are excited for what should be a great day out at DHL Stadium on Saturday,” he said.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Josh Boulle, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Gino Cupido, 23 Kian Davis.
