Skipper Andrew Hore, lock Brad Thorn and No 8 Jake Paringatai have all come into the team and should add some steel to the side.
Hore has finished his five-week suspension and is itching to get back on to the field, while Thorn has shrugged off a calf complaint and is fit to play.
Paringatai broke his hand in January and did not play any pre-season games but it has fully mended and he takes the place of Nasi Manu, who injured his foot against the Chiefs and is out until late May at the earliest.
Paringatai (32) is something of a mystery man to most Highlanders' supporters. He played club rugby in Dunedin about a decade ago, before a provincial career with Northland and a short spell with the Crusaders.
He then had a short stint in Ireland, before playing for four years in Japan for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues, the same club Brad Thorn played for.
His impact on the side will be of interest and he looks a completely different player from when he turned out for Northland.
The inclusion of the experience in the forward pack is a huge boost to the Highlanders and Hore will be keen to warm to his task quickly after cooling his heels in the pre-season.
It will be Thorn's first competitive game in New Zealand since the World Cup final. He replaces Jarrad Hoeata, who moves to the bench.
Colin Slade has been named on the bench and has trained well this week.
Jamie Mackintosh has a slight back strain and was a 50-50 chance for selection but has not made the squad, while Ma'a Nonu was moving gingerly at training yesterday after tweaking a knee but is still expected to play.
The Cheetahs have stuck with the same starting team which lost to the Chiefs last weekend, with the one change on the bench, as outstanding openside flanker Heinrich Brussow is a chance to play.
Brussow, the quick fetcher who has impressed every time he has worn the Springbok jersey, is coming back from a shoulder injury and has yet to take the field this season.
Long-serving Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has indicated Brussow will take some part in the game and may come on in the second half.
The Cheetahs have lost their first two games of the competition and sit at the bottom of the table, although it is very early days in the tournament.
Highlanders v Cheetahs
Invercargill, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Phil Burleigh, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Jake Paringatai, John Hardie, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Tony Woodcock. ]
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, Jarrad Hoeata, Tim Boys, Fumiaki Tanaka, Colin Slade, Shaun Treeby.
Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Willie Le Roux, Johan Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius, Phillip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Frans Viljoen, Francois Uys, Lodewyk de Jager, Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Trevor Nyakane.
Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuisen, Landman Ligtoring, Heinrich Brussow, Piet van Zyl, Riaan Smit, Benjamin Ryno.
