WP Nel will become the third Edinburgh player in history to reach 200 appearances for the club after being named in the team to face Stormers.
It’s a full circle moment for the 37-year-old who began his professional rugby career in Cape Town with Western Province in 2008. It’s now 12 years since he made the move to Edinburgh and he’s been a mainstay ever since and will now join Allan Jacobsen (273) and Chris Paterson (205).
It’s an incredible achievement for Nel and he’s joined at the opposite end by Jake Henry, who will make his professional debut playing on the wing.
Despite not having the likes of Luke Crosbie, Darcy Graham, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman available for varying reasons, it remains an experienced squad put out by Sean Everitt.
The front row sees Nel joined by Boan Venter and Dave Cherry while Jamie Hodgson and Sam Skinner combine in the second row.
Hodgson hasn’t played since December but returns from injury in South Africa to partner Skinner.
Ben Muncaster starts at blindside with Hamish Watson at openside and Bill Mata completes the back row at number 8.
Ben Vollacott and Ben Healy combine in the half backs with the former captaining the team on his 53rd appearance for the club.
Mark Bennett, who made his 100th appearance against Ospreys last time out, is joined by Matt Currie in the centre with Henry coming in for his first start on the wing.
The former Scotland U20 star is joined by Wes Goosen on the wings with Argentinian full back Emiliano Boffelli rounding off the team.
It’s a 5-3 split on the bench with Patrick Harrison, Luan de Bruin, Javan Sebastian, Marshall Sykes and Tom Dodd covering the forwards while Charlie Shiel, Cammy Scott and Chris Dean take care of the backs.
And Everitt said: “We’re delighted to see WP hit 200 appearances for the club. He’s an Edinburgh legend and it’ll be an extremely proud moment for him and his family when he takes to the pitch at DHL Stadium tomorrow evening.
“This team doesn’t need any added motivation, but I’ve got no doubt they’ll be playing with a bit of extra fire to make it a special day for WP.
“It’s brilliant to welcome back experienced, quality players like Sam [Skinner] and Ben [Healy] who are both real leaders for us on the park.
“We’re also very excited to see Jake [Henry] make his professional debut for the club. He has worked extremely hard to get back from injury and he really does deserve this opportunity.
“The boys have worked tirelessly since arriving in Cape Town at the start of the week and we’re raring to go for what is always a massive challenge at DHL Stadium.”
Edinburgh team: E Boffelli, W Goosens, M Bennett, M Currie, J Henry, B Healy, B Vellacott, B Venter, D Cherry, WP Nel, J Hodgson, S Skinner, B Muncaster, H Watson, V Mata
Replacements: P Harrison, L De Bruin, J Sebastian, M Sykes, T Dodd, C Shiel, C Scott, C Dean
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