The Stormers will be looking to make it four consecutive home wins when they face the Irish outfit at 14:45 on Saturday.
Nel returns to lead the side from outside centre and will link up in midfield with Jonathan Roche, who has recovered from concussion. Warrick Gelant, Hacjivah Dayimani and Lukhanyo Vokozela have all been ruled out due to concussion protocols this week. Damian Willemse starts at fullback in place of Gelant, while in the loose trio Evan Roos shifts from blindside flank to the back of the scrum, with Louw Nel coming into the starting line-up.
The halfback pairing of Cobus Reinach and Yaqeen Ahmed that finished the win against Scarlets so strongly last weekend will start on Saturday, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu being rested and scrumhalf Haashim Pead among the replacements.
JD Schickerling and Adre Smith start in the second row, with Riley Norton and Connor Evans set for impact roles, along with explosive loose forward Wandile Mlaba.
In the front row, Wilco Louw and Vernon Paulo join Ntuthuko Mchunu, with Andre-Hugo Venter unavailable through injury and JJ Kotze serving a suspension. Springbok Bongi Mbonambi makes his return from a replacements bench that also features props Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouche.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that it will be important for the new combinations to click against a dangerous Ulster team.
"There are many changes, but every player coming in bar the vastly experienced Bongi Mbonambi has already played an important role for us this season," he told the Stormers' website.
"It will take a big effort to end this phase of the season with a fourth straight win at home and everyone is determined to give our fans another win at DHL Stadium.
"After this match we go into a four-week break, so you can expect to see them leave it all out there on Saturday."
Stormers - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
The United Rugby Championship confirmed no disciplinary action will be taken against Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong after allegedly groping Gavin Coombes' testicles.
Stormers boss John Dobson is thrilled that his former captain Salmaan Moerat has been recalled to the Springbok setup after a difficult period.
Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg returns to the starting XV as the Lions prepare to take on Glasgow Warriors in their fifth-round United Rugby Championship clash in Scotland on Friday.
Ethan Hooker will earn his 50th cap for the Hollywoodbets Sharks when they face Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday in the final match of their European tour.
