It is back at home for the first time since the end of February for the DHL Stormers and Vermeulen will skipper a team showing four changes from last weekend’s five-point defeat in Brisbane.

Regular captain Jean de Villiers will sit out this week with a meniscal cyst, with Damian de Allende starting in his place at inside centre.

Kobus van Wyk will take De Allende’s place in the No.14 jersey, with Jaco Taute starting at fullback in place of the injured Gio Aplon and Michael van der Spuy moving onto the bench, having last featured against the Lions in February.

Up front, meanwhile, the fit-again Ruan Botha (ankle) takes the place of Jurie van Vuuren at No.4 lock in the only change to the pack this week, with Tazz Fuzani (on the bench) the only uncapped member of the DHL Stormers 23.

The DHL Stormers and Waratahs have met on eight previous occasions at DHL Newlands, with the Stormers winning five times and the ‘Tahs winning twice. One match has been drawn (in 2008).

The DHL Stormers team for Saturday (v the Waratahs) is as follows:

15. Jaco Taute, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10. Peter Grant (vice-captain), 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Michael Rhodes, 4. Ruan Botha, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Oliver Kebble, 18. Brok Harris, 19. Tazz Fuzani, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Demetri Catrakilis, 23. Michael van der Spuy.