The Pretoria-based side, who host Lyon in their Heineken Champions Cup opener on December 10, travel to Stadio Comunale di Monigo looking to bounce back from a 31-17 defeat at Munster Rugby last Saturday.

Bismarck du Plessis, a two-time Challenge Cup winner with Montpellier Hérault Rugby, comes in at hooker, with Francois Klopper and Gerhard Steenekamp completing a new-look front row.

Lock Janko Swanepoel and flanker Marco van Standen are brought in as the other changes in the pack, while fly-half Chris Smith is recalled along with Stedman Gans and David Kriel, who line up at outside centre and on the wing respectively.

Elsewhere on Friday, there is an all-Heineken Champions Cup contest as Pool B’s London Irish host Pool A counterparts Gloucester Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership.

Irish have made four changes from last Friday’s 37-14 loss at Sale Sharks – two in the forwards and two in the backs.

Henry Arundell returns at full-back and Lucio Cinti is called in at centre, while Tom Pearson is back at flanker and Danilo Fischetti comes in at prop.

Meanwhile, Gloucester have made just two alterations from last Saturday’s 31-28 home win over Bristol Bears, with hooker Santiago Socino, who topped the try-scoring charts in last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup, handed a start along with scrum-half Charlie Chapman.

Vodacom Bulls, who are debuting in the Heineken Champions Cup this season, have made eight changes for their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash with Benetton Rugby on Friday night.