The Cheetahs have not beaten the Highlanders since 2006 and things don't get much easier when they head to Rugby Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Highlanders had the bye in the last round and head coach Jamie Joseph is expected to have Andrew Hore, Colin Slade and Brad Thorn all back for the home side.
They have lost No 8 Nasi Manu with a major foot injury for the clash but All Blacks duo Colin Slade (leg) and skipper Andrew Hore (suspension) are set to return.
Meanwhile, Cheetahs head coach Naka Drotske has named Heinrich Brussow in his team following last week's 45-3 defeat by the champion Chiefs.
The flanker has been named on the bench for the first time this season after recovering from a shoulder operation and replaces replaces Boom Prinsloo on the replacements bench.
He could well be eased back in during the second half and his return is the only change to the team that lost to the Chiefs last time out.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poko, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Jake Paringatai, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Josh Berkhuis, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 Toy Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Chris King, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Shaun Treeby
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (capt), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Rynhard Landman, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin
Skysports
