The hooker takes over at the helm from fly-half Justin Thomas – who keeps his place in the line-up.
Meanwhile Neath’s Steve Jones will play for Cardiff in their home Welsh Premiership match with Caerphilly.
The once-capped hooker featured as a replacement in last weekend’s victory over Newport.
Full-back Rhys Williams, who scored four tries against the Black and Ambers, drops to the bench along with fellow internationals Iestyn Harris, Ryan Powell and Martyn Williams as Cardiff give some of their reserves an outing.
Youngsters John Yapp and Robin Sowden-Taylor are also omitted as they play for Cardiff Under-21s in their Welsh Cup final against Swansea at Neath on the same night.
Cardiff: Donavan van Vuuren; Nick Walne, Matt Allen, Pieter Muller, Dean Dewdney; Nick Robinson, Richard Smith; Tim Payne, Steve Jones, Ben Evans, Heino Senekal, Luke Tait, Dan McShane, Emyr Lewis (capt), Jim Brownrigg.
Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Lewis Collins, John Tait, Martyn Williams, Ryan Powell, Iestyn Harris, Rhys Williams.
Caerphilly: F McLoughlin; R Howells, R Higgitt, R Boobyer, G Lewis; J Thomas, A Chilten; L Manning, C Ferris (capt), D Sweet, D Davies, P Jones, G Jones, M Workman, S Grainger.
Replacements: O Ashman, J Murphy, L Richards, R Bilton, T Carless, G Lidden, N Rouse, N Watkins.
