Seven returning Springboks are set to make their first appearances for the Stormers this season in the Coastal Derby, while the match-day squad boasts an impressive 11 players who featured for the national team.

There will also be a new face among the replacements, with scrumhalf Haashim Pead in line to make his Stormers debut.

The Stormers are adding another layer of nostalgia to the occasion by wearing their new black strip – a throwback to the iconic 1999 “Men in Black” campaign.

Deon Fourie. Photo: X

It promises to be quite a spectacle in Green Point. The Stormers are hoping the familiar black jersey can inspire a big performance in front of their home supporters.

There are three changes to the backline. Damian Willemse is returning at fullback, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu partners Cobus Reinach at halfback.

Pead and Wandisile Simelane provide the backline options on the replacements bench.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: X

Up front, Wilco Louw is set to make his first Stormers appearance since 2020, while Deon Fourie provides experienced cover at hooker. Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo are the other front-row options among the replacements.

There is also a first start of the season for lock Adré Smith, while Paul de Villiers returns to the starting XV. His inclusion allows Siya Kolisi to shift to blindside flank.

Evan Roos and Riley Norton are among the replacements, giving head coach John Dobson plenty of firepower to call upon as the match enters its final stages.

Damian Willemse. Photo: X

Dobson believes the Stormers’ first home game of the season has all the ingredients for a memorable afternoon.

“It is fantastic to be able to name a team like this which is full of exceptional talent, from Deon Fourie with 141 Stormers caps through to Haashim Pead, who makes his first appearance for us.

“It has been really encouraging to see the way the players returning from national duty have stepped up this week and added immensely to our preparations. It was a tough team to select with many quality players missing out.

Paul de Villiers. Photo: X

“This weekend we also play our first match in the new Men in Black kit, which is a great nod to our past and something which resonates deeply with our fans.

“It is going to be a fantastic occasion at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, beyond the rugby which will be typically intense. We hope that our fans come out in their numbers to enjoy every moment with us.”

The Stormers and Sharks kick off at 16:00 on Saturday at Cape Town Stadium.

Stormers - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements - 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

Sharks - TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs