Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one of several Western Province backs cleared fit to feature against the Griffons in Cape Town on Saturday.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Angelo Davids and Duncan Saal will form an all-new back three, with Godlen Masimla slotting in at scrumhalf having recovered from concussion.
Bruce Sherwood will form a midfield partnership with his captain Juan de Jongh, with Under-20 centre Damian Markus set to make his senior Province debut from the bench.
The only two changes to the pack see Armand Maritz start at blindside flank and Scarra Ntubeni at hooker, in the absence of Junior Pokomela and Andre-Hugo Venter, who are both with the Stormers in the UK to face the Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup.
There are also potential senior debuts for props Lamla Nune and Matthew Coenraad, who have been named among the replacements.
WEEKEND PICKS: Stormers carry SA flag into semis
WP interim coach Labeeb Levy said that the returning players will add some real firepower for the Currie Cup clash at Cape Town Stadium.
“We have some quality players coming back into the fold this week and they all have trained really well,” Levy said. “Every game at home is vitally important and our team is desperate to deliver the goods on Saturday.
“We have another player in CPUT prop Matthew Coenraad who has come through the club rugby high-performance programme making his debut, which is also very exciting.”
WP rounded off last week’s action with a loss to Griquas at home, while the Griffons claimed their first win since promotion back to the Premier Division when they beat the Vodacom Bulls in Welkom.
Province are fifth in the standings with 10 points, ahead of the northern Free Staters (five), who are one spot off the foot of the table.
WP – 15 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Juan de Jongh (c), 12 Bruce Sherwood, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Armand Maritz, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Kwenzo Blose.
Subs: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Matthew Coenraad, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Damian Marcus, 23 Tom Nel.
If the #CurrieCup was a video game, which of these AI heroes are you picking? ?⚔️?#WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/fg1ODReVUy
— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) April 7, 2023
It’s do or die for the Stormers, with Exeter Chiefs standing in the way of a semi-final berth. Watch @mark_keohane and Zels make their Champions Cup picks. pic.twitter.com/RwZfPf3Mo5
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) April 6, 2023
Photo: @WP_RUGBY/Twitter