The Highlanders have made a significant change at No 8 ahead of the clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The explosive All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell returns from a week off to start at No 8. Highlanders skipper Luke Whitelock will continue at No 6, while Elliot Dixon drops out of the squad.

Teihorangi Walden returns to partner Rob Thompson, while All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax is back at tighthead.

Ben Smith, Tevita Li, Tevita Nabura and Richard Buckman are all unavailable for this clash. As a result, Sio Tomkinson and Jordan Hyland will start on the wings.

All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo – who last featured for the Highlanders in round six – will make his return to the side from the bench.

Highlanders – 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Sio Tomkinson, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Luke Whitelock (c), 6 Dillon Hunt, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Josh Dickson,  3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 James Lentjes, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Dan Hollinshead, 23 Waisake Naholo.

Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images