Slade is warmly welcomed into the side after missing the first five games because of injury, and will start outside All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Alando Soakai returns to the openside flank, with Adam Thomson switching to his more familiar blindside role. Tom Donnelly and Jarrad Hoeata will lock the scrum in what coach Jamie Joseph said was a hotly contested position.
"In some positions, we are very competitive and lock is one of those. Josh Bekhuis this week finds himself on the bench but that is no reflection of the way he has played. He has been nothing but good for us," Joseph said.
Seeing Slade starting in the No10 jersey will bring pleasure to all Highlanders' fans, Joseph among them. He rejected suggestions players and coaches would be expecting too much from Slade.
"We know he hasn't played any rugby since last year and we're realistic about that. It is going to take time to recapture that form which we saw at the Bledisloe Cup. But I know he is hungry; he's excited to be back and I'm excited to see him back."
With five Southlanders in the starting line-up, Joseph was hoping for a good crowd in Invercargill to get in behind his side. Prop Bronson Murray had a scan on his dislocated shoulder on Tuesday and Joseph said the results were better than expected and he might be back in a couple of weeks.
Otago prop Halani Aulika may get his first taste of Super 15 rugby after he was named on the bench.
Joseph said utility back Robbie Robinson was not considered for selection after his indiscretion after the Crusaders game. Robinson was arrested and pepper-sprayed by police and spent a few hours in a police cell after a scuffle with another man in a Dunedin street. He was later released and not charged.
Joseph said 20,000 people had come to support the Highlanders and the public expected better from the players. Robinson would be available next week. The team would travel south today and have a short training run at Rugby Park this afternoon.
Highlanders v Brumbies
Invercargill, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Halani Aulika, Josh Bekhuis, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Tony Brown, James Paterson.
