GALLERY: Cheetahs in training
Veteran Tewis de Bruyn was the coach's choice for the Cheetahs' last couple of games against the Highlanders and Force, but De Bruyn struggled to provide any magic on attack.
Drotske will be hoping Van Zyl's return will spark something special against a Stormers side that are the clear favourites for the game at Newlands.
"Piet is a very good attacking player," Drotske said.
"He made a big impact from the bench against the Highlanders and Force and hopefully he can do the same starting against the Stormers."
Van Zyl's inclusion is the only change to the Cheetahs side that struggled to a 17-13 victory at home last week against the Western Force.
Drotske has again backed flyhalf Sias Ebersohn, even though he missed four kicks at goal against the Perth-based side.
"Sias did well, especially with all the pressure on him after missing that vital kick against the Highlanders (the week before).
"He will be back and we are confident he will have a good game against the Stormers."
Springbok centre Andries Strauss was cleared to play early on Wednesday after picking up a rib injury against the Force.
Lock Andries Ferreira is also available after he was cleared on Tuesday of foul play. Ferreira was cited for a dangerous tackle on Force eighthman Matt Hodgson, but was later cleared of all charges.
Teams:
Stormers:
TBA
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman