Blues head coach Tana Umaga has named All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams in his starting XV to play the Stormers at Newlands on Friday.
Williams missed last week’s home match against the Cheetahs with concussion, but has been fully cleared to play in South Africa.
Fellow All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi gets his second start of the season after his strong performance coming on for the injured Pauliasi Manu in the win over the Cheetahs at Eden Park last weekend.
The only other change from the starting line-up that beat the Cheetahs sees Gerard Cowley-Tuioti return to partner fellow in-form lock Scott Scrafton with All Black Patrick Tuipulotu to add real thrust off the bench.
Piers Francis, who came off with injury at half-time last weekend, has recovered sufficiently to be named to start at fly-half, with Bryn Gatland returning to the squad in the reserves.
Melani Nanai, who has bagged five tries this season, retains his spot at full-back with Michael Collins to come off the bench.
Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 George Moala, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Michael Collins
Date: Friday, May 19
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
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