A stapling reload assembly for a circular stapling instrument (100) includes a casing (110), a staple holder (148), a staple driver (156), and an anvil assembly (112). The staple holder is attached to the casing. The staple driver includes a driver alignment surface (198). The staple driver is receivable within the casing and is configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The anvil assembly includes an anvil base surface (220), an anvil alignment surface (246), and a staple forming surface (212). The anvil base surface is configured to move from an open position away from the casing to a closed position adjacent the casing. The anvil alignment surface is configured to mate with the driver alignment surface, to rotationally align the staple forming surface with the staple holder, when the anvil base surface is in the closed position.
