All Black fullback Ben Smith will return to the Highlanders for their playoff game against the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning.
Smith, the Highlanders co-captain, missed his first game of the season against the Crusaders last weekend after failing to recover from a leg infection.
There's no doubt the Highlanders are a different side without the attacking threat that Smith offers at the back and his return in place of Trent Renata will be well received for a game where the Highlanders are rank outsiders.
There are two changes to the Highlanders forward pack with Ged Robinson starting at hooker and Jarrad Hoeata returning to favour with a place in the second row alongside Joe Wheeler.
Hoeata's inclusion pushes the promising Tom Franklin to the bench, but had been forecast after the Highlanders have struggled at lineout time in recent weeks.Sharks coach Jake White is yet to name his team but is hoping to have JP Pietersen, Pat Lambie and Beast Mtawarira available.
HIGHLANDERS: Ben Smith (co-captain), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Phil Burleigh, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Ged Robinson, Kane Hames. Reserves; Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, JP Koen, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Franklin, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, Gareth Evans.
