Stormers XXIII hand Junior World Championship winner Muller Currie Cup bow against Sharks XV

Junior World Championship winner Markus Muller will make his Currie Cup debut for the Stormers XXIII when they host the Sharks XV at DHL Stadium on Saturday in a coastal encounter featuring eight changes to the home side’s starting line-up.

The 19-year-old centre has been selected at outside centre and will form a new-look midfield partnership with Josh Boulle, as the Stormers XXIII continue to rotate their squad in the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition.

Muller is one of three players poised for their first Currie Cup appearances, with fellow Junior World Championship winner Danie Kruger and hooker Altus Rabie both named among the replacements.

Double-header at DHL Stadium

Saturday’s match in Cape Town will be part of a double-header at DHL Stadium, with the Stormers Bolts facing the Sharks U20 side at 12:00 before the Stormers XXIII take on their Durban counterparts at 15:00.

In the backline, Kyle Smith has been handed his first start of the season at fly-half, while experienced wing Suleiman Hartzenberg returns to the run-on side out wide. Mfundo Ndhlovu completes the back three alongside full-back Dylan Miller.

Captain Stefan Ungerer continues at scrum-half, leading a side that blends emerging talent with seasoned campaigners across the park.

Key returns in the pack

Up front, the Stormers XXIII are boosted by the return of several forwards from injury lay-offs.

Louw Nel is back from a long-term absence to start on the flank, lining up alongside Wandile Mlaba at number eight and Keke Morabe on the opposite side of the scrum.

In the second row, Gary Porter comes into the team to partner a fit-again Tom Barnard, who has recovered to reclaim his place in the engine room.

There is another change at prop, where Hencus van Wyk starts at loosehead. He packs down with tighthead Herman Lubbe and hooker Vernon Paulo in the front row.

On the bench, Kruger and Rabie are joined by scrum-half Ezekiel Ngobeni, who also returns from injury to take his place among the replacements.

Full Stormers XXIII matchday squad

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Josh Boulle, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Hencus van Wyk.

Replacements: 16 Altus Rabie, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Gino Cupido, 23 Kian Davis.