Co-skipper Craig Clarke has been restored to the Chiefs’ starting line-up to face the Stormers in Cape Town.
Clarke, who shares the captaincy duties with Liam Messam, was relegated to the bench in last weekend’s thumping of the Cheetahs in Hamilton, but is one of five changes made to the XV to start at Newlands on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Aside from Clarke’s reintegration to the pack, veteran hooker Mahroni Schwalger starts in place of Hika Elliot and Tanerau Latimer will play on the blindside.
Latimer’s inclusion forces Messam to the back of the scrum, with Fritz Lee dropping out of the squad.
All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets the nod at halfback ahead of Augustine Pulu, while Charlie Ngatai replaces Bundee Aki at second five-eighth.
Utility back Andrew Horrell is included on the bench after recovering from injury and former Highlanders lock/flanker Nick Crosswell is set to debut for the franchise after being named in the reserves.
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Asaeli Tikoirotuma. Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Mahroni Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Nick Crosswell, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Patrick Osborne.