The 23-test All Black is finally over hip and knee injuries and has been named on the bench for the Highlanders in their match against the Jaguares at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The starting side contains plenty of changes from the side which drew with the Chiefs last Saturday.
Props Siate Tokolahi and Ayden Johnstone come in for Tyrel Lomax and Daniel Lienert-Brown, who move to the reserves,
Josh Dickson replaces an injured Jackson Hemopo in the locking department.
In the backs, Sio Tomkinson takes over at second five-eighth from a resting Tei Walden while Jordan Hyland will make his Highlanders starting debut on the wing.
Matt Faddes moves to fullback to take the place of the injured Ben Smith.
Squire will be joined in the reserves by lock Jack Whetton as the Highlanders look to put on some size near the end of the game.
New first five-eighth Dan Hollinshead will take his place on the reserves bench and will also be a goal-kicking option. He played premier two grade last week for Alhambra-Union at Miller Park but it will be a considerable step up on Saturday should he get on the field.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen comes on to the bench.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said Squire was keen to get on the pitch after such a long spell out of the game.
"He has trained well over the last few weeks and got his level of fitness to where we need it. It is exciting to bring him back into the mix.
"With how long he has been out for and still to get his fitness levels up to what is required he would look at 20 to 30 minutes off the bench," Mauger said.
"He is obviously pretty frustrated at the season he has had so far. He is pretty damaging when he is not injured, to be fair.
"I'm expecting him to be at his physical best when he takes the field.
"He has just got to do his role and bring the intensity to the game. We lacked that intensity near the back end of the game last week."
Hemopo has been battered over the past couple of games and took a bang to the knee against the Chiefs.
Mauger said Hemopo was unable to put weight on his knee for most of the week and, although he had a run yesterday, he was a 30% chance at best.
It was decided to be cautious and get the All Black right for the trip to South Africa.
Hyland played three games for the Blues last year - in which he scored two tries - and was called into the Highlanders to cover for injuries.
`I have been really impressed with him. He has done everything we have asked of him," Mauger said.
"He is a big, physical man in the wide channels and no-nonsense sort of footy player. I thought our intensity in the wide channels could have been a bit better [last week] and he will bring that."
Waisake Naholo was not quite ready for the game, having only just started running this week.
He should be right to head to South Africa.
No8 Elliot Dixon will play his 100th Super Rugby game for the Highlanders.
The side will start its journey to South Africa on Sunday, stopping in Sydney on Sunday night before heading to Johannesburg. The side is due to play the Lions and Stormers in South Africa.
Highlanders v Jaguares
Tomorrow, Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 5.15pm
Highlanders: Matt Faddes, Jordan Hyland, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Elliot Dixon, Luke Whitelock (captain), James Lentjes, Tom Franklin, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Jack Whetton, Liam Squire, Kayne Hammington, Dan Hollinshead, Thomas Umaga-Jensen