Richie Gray will make his final appearance for Glasgow Warriors against the Stormers in Stellenbosch on Saturday. 

Gray, who is moving to Japan to play for Toyota Verblitz next month, starts in the second row for the United Rugby Championship (URC) champions at Danie Craven Stadium. 

The return of the Scotland veteran - who was left out of Gregor Townsend's squad for the Autumn Nations Series this week - is one of seven changes made by Franco Smith from the defeat to the Bulls. 

Huw Jones is back to partner the new Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, who also leads Glasgow in the continued absence of Kyle Steyn, while Adam Hastings takes over at fly-half from Tom Jordan. 

Up front, international props Jamie Bhatti and Sam Talakai come in for Nathan McBeth and Zander Fagerson, while Gray partners Gregor Brown in an all-new second row. 

Smith said:  “The Stormers will provide another stern test for us in Stellenbosch tomorrow – they look to be hitting top form as they showed in their convincing win over Munster last weekend.

“They will also be able to call upon a wealth of international experience and quality, with Springboks and World Cup winners throughout their squad.

“It promises to be another electric atmosphere in front of a passionate crowd tomorrow, and we look forward to the challenge.”

For the Stormers, Rugby World Cup winners Manie Libbok and Frans Malherbe will make their first appearances of the season, while hooker Andre-Hugo Venter will play his 50th game for the South African franchise. 

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said that his team is focused on backing up their win over Munster last week. 

“We saw last week what a difference it makes playing in our conditions in front of our supporters, but we need to back that up on Saturday again.

“Glasgow are the defending champions, so we will have to raise our game further if we are to get the win we need."

The teams

Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (captain), Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet; Brok Harris, Andre-Hugo Venter, Frans Malherbe, JD Schickerling, Ruben van Heerden, Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon. Keke Morabe

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Leon Lyons, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Willie Engelbrecht, Louw Nel, Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Sam Talakai, Gregor Brown, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan