James Lentjes will start at openside flank for the Highlanders against the Lions in Saturday's semi-final at Ellis Park.

Lentjes comes in for Shane Christie, while lock Alex Ainley replaces Luke Whitelock, who moves to No 8.

Hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate, prop Ross Geldenhuys and lock Joe Wheeler come on to the bench, along with utility back Marty Banks, who makes his return from injury.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Dan Pryor, 22 Te Aihe Toma, 23 Marty Banks.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images