Fedsure Stormers coach Alan Solomons made only one change to his starting line-up for Sunday's Super 12 game against the Highlanders at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

Morne van der Merwe replaces Faan Rautenbach at tighthead prop in a change that was expected after the Stormers battled in the scrums in their first three games. The 27-year-old Van der Merwe trained with the side in Dunedin on Thursday and has shaken of the after-effects of the bout of flu that kept him bed-ridden earlier in the week.

The former Eastern Province prop played for Wellington in the New Zealand Provincial Competition last season and made a good impression. He also played well in his three appearances from the bench thus for the Stormers and played a crucial role in the team's last try - scored by fellow prop Robbie Kempson - against the Hurricanes.

Former Sharks lock John Slade is on the bench in place of Quinton Davids, who has been laid low by a bout of the flu the past two weeks.

Exciting inside centre Stuart Abbott, who had to leave the field in the first half of the victory against the Hurricanes, is also fit and has duly been included. The blonde midfielder made a huge impression in his first start for the Stormers with his high work rate, his fearless tackling and his ability to get over the advantage line with his darting runs.

Charl Marais has also won his battle with the ankle injury that forced him off the field in Wellington and he will take his place at hooker.

Fedsure Stormers: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Stuart Abbott, Werner Greeff, Braam van Straaten, Dan van Zyl; Bob Skinstad, Corne Krige (capt), Hendrik Gerber, Rob Brink, Hottie Louw, Morne van der Merwe, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson. Substitutes: Pieter Dixon, Faan Rautenbach, John Slade, Chean Roux, Robert Markram, John Daniels, Neil de Kock.