Evan Roos, Herschel Jantjies, and Dan du Plessis will also be starting while Damian Willemse has been moved to fullback.

Ali Vermaak, Neethling Fouché, and Junior Pokomela were all included on the bench after playing in the Currie Cup against the Griquas last week.

Stormers coach, John Dobson, emphasised the importance of a positive result on Saturday.

“Its game is really sort of a turning point for us. It's to show that we've grown and are able to win away from home in these tough conditions.

“We know how incredibly tough it is going to be. But if we can get away with something against a really good Connacht team, then to go into six home games, we'll be well placed to be in the top eight or get ourselves in a position to get into the play-offs.

“This is a really big game for us.”

Tomorrow afternoon’s game at the Sportsground kicks off at 15:00.

Tonight at 19:30, Zebre host the Bulls in Parma while at 21:35 Leinster are at home to the Lions in Dublin.

Stormers - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements - 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Angelo Davids.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport