Sefanaia Naivalu will start at outside centre for the Rebels when they face the Sharks in Durban on Friday.
The flying Fijian has made a big impact on the wing for the Melbourne-based franchise this season, notching up five tries including a brace against the Reds a fortnight ago.
Having missed the defeat to the Stormers at the weekend through concussion, he has recovered and will take his place outside Mitch Inman in a new-look midfield combination.
His inclusion is one of five changes to the Rebels' starting XV. Elsewhere in the backline, Luke Burgess has been handed a start at scrumhalf.
The rest of the changes are among the forwards, with Toby Smith and Laurie Weeks coming into the front row, while Colby Fainga'a slots in at blindside flank.
Rebels – 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Sefanaia Naivalu, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Tom Sexton, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Jordy Reid, 23 Bryce Hegarty.
Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
