Milestone for Frans Malherbe as Stormers name team to face Lions

The Bok star will become just the second player to reach the milestone after fellow prop Brok Harris when he runs out at Emirates Airline Park at 14h30 on Saturday.

There are just two changes to the Stormers' starting forward pack and both come in the front row, with Malherbe joined by a fit-again Ali Vermaak and hooker JJ Kotze.

Neethling Fouche will also make his return via the replacements bench, having recovered from a concussion.

The only changes in the backline see Herschel Jantjies come in at scrumhalf and Angelo Davids on the wing in place of Leolin Zas who was ruled out due to illness.

Director of Rugby John Dobson paid tribute to Malherbe, who has cemented his place as one of the greatest DHL Stormers.

"Frans made his DHL Stormers debut 14 years ago and has achieved so much in that time. It is very rare these days to see someone play that long for one team, especially a player of his stature.

"He has the respect of everyone he plays with and against and his contribution to this team over the years has been immense," he said.

Dobson added that his team understands the magnitude of the challenge that awaits them this weekend.

"We have opted for continuity this weekend and hopefully that will see us improve our performance.

"We will need to be at our best as it is always tough to win up on the highveld, especially with an afternoon kick-off," he added.

DHL Stormers-  15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jonathan Roche.

READ MORE: Stormers legend Frans Malherbe poised to earn 150th cap on Saturday