Mackintosh was never going to be the first-choice loosehead prop for the side this season after experienced All Black Tony Woodcock joined the franchise.
A back strain has hampered the Southland captain's availability but it has come right and, with Woodcock nursing a hamstring injury, Mackintosh is back in the starting line-up tonight.
He will be part of a Highlanders front row that has more than 250 caps at this level. Hooker Andrew Hore will again captain the side.
The only other change to the pack is at No8, where Mose Tuiali'i gets an immediate start after joining the side this week.
He will have to bring a dominant physical game to get his side on the front foot.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph may have been tempted to go for some more energy and fire in his pack but his options were limited, so he more or less stuck with those who played last week in the loss to the Reds. The pack has an average age of just over 30.
Elliot Dixon moves to the reserves, while TJ Ioane, who came on and showed some aggression last week, is also on the bench.
The backs remain the same. Lima Sopoaga had a lively game when he came on last week to replace an out-of-sorts Colin Slade but Joseph has kept faith with the former All Black.
The Highlanders should have a good feeling when they run on to Eden Park, for it was there they last had a win in the competition.
They retained the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy with the 27-20 victory over the Blues last season, and the trophy goes on the line tonight.
That success over the Blues was on May 26, and since then - 314 days - the Highlanders have been winless in Super rugby.