Cape Town - The Highlanders will hand a debut to wing Tevita Nabura in their Super Rugby clash with the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.
After a bye week off the Highlanders will take on the Cape Town-based Stormers and will be seeking their second victory of the season.
There is a look of consistency in the team with only three changes from their season opener against the Blues.
In the forwards, Tasman back-rower Shannon Frizzel takes his place on the reserves bench, while co-captain Ash Dixon will miss the game with a back injury and will be replaced by Greg Pleasants-Tate.
In the backs, powerful Fijian Nabura earns a spot on the left wing. It is a debut game for both Frizzel and Nabura.
“The Stormers are a big side so we expect a physical encounter, they are also a dangerous team with ball in hand in open spaces, so we are well aware of those threats and have prepared to meet those challenges," head coach Aaron Mauger told the Highlanders website.
"Of course for our team it’s another opportunity to put a good performance together at home for our people; we will certainly be working hard to do just that."
Kick-off is at 08:35 SA time.
Teams:
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Nabura, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Substitutes: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes
Stormers
TBA