Smith has been named at centre to replace the injured Kendrick Lynn in the Highlanders side to play the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night.
Lynn is struggling with a groin injury, which hampered him earlier in the season, but his loss is Smith's gain as the young Otago three-quarter gets the chance to get his hands on the ball.
Smith (23) has been struggling for chances out on the wing for most of the season, and will be glad to get more of the ball one place further in.
Smith, who played some of his rugby at halfback when at school, is seen by many as a natural centre, and will get his chance to test his wares against a talented Brumbies backline in Canberra.
With Smith coming into centre, James Paterson moves on to the wing and Jayden Hayward moves to the bench.
In other changes to the Highlanders after last week's win over the Waratahs, prop Bronson Murray gets his first start of the year, at tighthead prop, replacing Clint Newland, who strained his back last week in the match against the Waratahs.
Keith Cameron goes on to the reserves bench after joining the squad this week.
Vice-captain Jamie Mackintosh had hoped to make the side but has stayed in New Zealand to continue his rehabilitation from his toe injury and will play for his club side, Woodlands, tomorrow.
Michael Hobbs is again unavailable because of a hand injury suffered in the game against the Hurricanes two weeks ago.
It is the final home game for the Brumbies and, with the team still very much in the play-off picture, motivation should not be a problem.
The Brumbies welcome back veteran flanker George Smith after a six-week break.
He injured his shoulder against the Blues in mid-March and it was feared he would not play for the Brumbies again.
But he has won the fitness battle, and will start in his traditional No 7 jersey in what will be his final home game.
Smith, the 110-test veteran, is leaving to play overseas at the end of the Super 14 season.
Former Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock is still in doubt and will be given a fitness test this morning to decide whether his back is good enough for him to play.
He has been bracketed with young centre Ed Stubbs on the bench.
Mortlock also ends his long association with the Brumbies at the end of the season, having signed a three-year deal with new franchise the Melbourne Rebels.
The Brumbies have made a significant change to their backline with Matt Giteau shifted to second five-eighth and youngster Matt Toomua brought into the pivot position, after missing the past three games because of injury.
It will be an intimidating atmosphere for the Highlanders tomorrow night with a big crowd sure to want to give Smith and Mortlock a great send-off.
Face masks of the two departing players will be handed out to the crowd.
HIGHLANDERS v BRUMBIES
- Canberra, tomorrow, 9.40pm
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, James Paterson, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Matt Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Bronson Murray, Jason Rutledge, Chris King.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Keith Cameron, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Scott Cowan, Robbie Robinson, Jayden Hayward.
Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Copper, Pat McCabe, Tyrone Smith, Matt Giteau, Andrew Smith, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles (captain), George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, Mitchell Chapman, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander.
Reserves: Huia Edmonds, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Ben Hand, Colby Faingaa, Patrick Phibbs, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Ed Stubbs or Stirling Mortlock.
