Highlanders' Head Coach, Jamie Joseph has made two changes to the run-on team that played the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Doug Tietjens makes his second start for the Highlanders replacing James Haskell who has beensuspended for three weeks.

Siale Piutau also comes into the starting XV replacing livewire wing Buxton Popoali'i.

Fullback Ben Smith will make his 50th appearance for the franchise, after making his debut in 2009 against the Brumbies.

On the reserves bench, Elliot Dixon comes into the 22 along with Kurt Baker as forwards and backs cover respectively.

Highlanders

1 Jamie Mackintosh (C) 2 Andrew Hore 3 Chris King 4 Josh Bekhuis 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Doug Tietjens, 8 Nasi Manu ,9 Aaron Smith, 10 Mike Delany ,11 Hosea Gear ,12 Shaun Treeby ,13 Tamati Ellison, 14 Siale Piutau, 15 Ben Smith

Reserves 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Ma’afu Fia/Jacob Ellison, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Elliot Dixon ,20 Jimmy Cowan ,21 Chris Noake, 22 Kurt Baker