RG Snyman will face the Vodacom Bulls for the first time as part of an experienced Munster team for the URC clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
Snyman has recovered from an illness that kept him out of the Champions Cup playoffs and will face his former side for the first time in the crucial match at Loftus Versfeld.
The two-time World Cup winner forms Munster’s second row with captain Tadhg Beirne.
Along with Snyman, Munster have also welcomed Ireland-capped wings Calvin Nash and Shane Daly to fitness and both start alongside veteran fullback Simon Zebo.
New Zealander Alex Nankivell continues his midfield partnership with France-born centre Antoine Frisch, while Jonathan Sexton’s Ireland successor Jack Crowley is at flyhalf, with the experienced Conor Murray at scrumhalf.
Fresh from signing a new one-year contract, Peter O’Mahony is in the back row alongside 23-year-old Alex Kendellen and No 8 Jack O’Donaghue, who makes his 197th Munster appearance.
Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer start in an unchanged front row, while former Crusader Oli Jager returns from injury to provide support at tighthead.
Munster — 15 Simon Zebo; 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shane Daly; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donaghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Subs: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 John Hodnett.
Photo: @Munsterrugby/Twitter