The DHL Stormers have made seven changes to their starting XV ahead of Friday's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

After being rested last week, captain Siya Kolisi starts in the back row alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Nizaam Carr, who shifts to No 8 ahead of Sikhumbuzo Notche.

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Other changes to the pack see lock Jan de Klerk replace Chris van Zyl, while Frans Malherbe and Oli Kebble are the preferred props ahead of Wilco Louw and JC Janse van Rensburg.

SP Marais returns from a groin injury to take up position at fullback, with Dillyn Leyds moving to the left wing and Bjorn Basson dropping to the bench.

In the midfield, Dan Kriel comes in for the injured Dan du Plessis and Jano Vermaak is the starting scrumhalf.

Flank Kobus van Dyk and centre Shaun Treeby are the new additions to the bench. If Treeby is used as a substitute, he will make his Stormers debut against his former team.

Stormers – 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Shaun Treeby (DHL Stormers debut), 23 Bjorn Basson.

Photo: Nic Bothma/BackpagePix