The 30-year-old dotted down against Harlequins in Round 1 of the Heineken Champions Cup and crossed again at Union Bordeaux-Bègles the following week, but has been sidelined so far this year, missing the latter part of the pool stage as Cell C Sharks secured a home Round of 16 tie against Munster Rugby.

But just over a month ahead of that contest, Kok returns to the team alongside hooker Dan Jooste, lock Reniel Hugo, scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Francois Venter.

Back-row forwards Vincent Tshituka and Dylan Richardson are also back from injuries and are on the bench in a further boost for Cell C Sharks.

Elsewhere, the other two South African teams debuting in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup go head-to-head as DHL Stormers welcome Vodacom Bulls, who host Harlequins and travel to Stade Toulousain respectively in the Round of 16.

Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and flanker Willie Engelbrecht come in for DHL Stormers, while a reshuffled Vodacom Bulls backline sees wings Sbu Nkosi and Cornal Hendricks called in as well as centre Wandisile Simelane, with David Kriel shifting to full-back.

Edinburgh Rugby, who visit Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, have hooker Dave Cherry and flanker Hamish Watson back their starting XV for their URC trip to Scarlets.

That duo return from Scotland duty while Damien Hoyland is fit again and starts on the wing.

Leinster Rugby, who topped Heineken Champions Cup Pool A to earn a home Round of 16 clash with Ulster Rugby, welcome prop Michael Milne, wing Jordan Larmour and full-back Jimmy O’Brien back into their starting side as they host Dragons RFC.

That trio have been released by Ireland, as has EPCR Player of the Year nominee Jamie Osborne, who lines up at centre.

Stade Rochelais, Stade Toulousain and Montpellier Hérault Rugby are the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 clubs in TOP 14 action on Saturday, travelling to Castres Olympique, RC Toulon and Lyon respectively.

On Sunday, Leicester entertain Saracens in a huge Gallagher Premiership encounter, with utility back Alex Goode making his 350th appearance for the latter having broken the club record last October.

There is also a first Saracens start for lock Tom Ellis, while Leicester have scrum-half Ben Youngs and prop Joe Heyes back from England duty and lock Cameron Henderson returning from the Scotland camp.

Centre Matt Scott makes his 50th Leicester appearance and wing Chris Ashton starts on his return from injury after a seven-week lay-off.

Wing Werner Kok, who scored two tries in his first two Heineken Champions Cup games, makes his return from injury as Cell C Sharks visit Emirates Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday.