Highlanders' Head Coach, Jamie Joseph has named former All Black Brad Thorn in his starting team to play the Cheetahs at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill on Saturday.

Thorn played for the Highlanders in a pre-season Super Rugby trial match but will now make his Super Rugby debut for the southern franchise alonside fellow debutant Jake Paringatai.

Also in the forwards, Andrew Hore returns to the Highlanders after missing the first match of the 2013 season due to suspension.

Changes in the run-on XV also see a number of changes on the reserves bench.

Brayden Mitchell and Jarrod Hoeata drop out of the starting XV and are joined by Chris King and Colin Slade; who are both returning from injuries.

Shaun Treeby also joins the reserves in place of Buxton Popoalii.

Highlanders

1. Tony Woodcock ,2. Andrew Hore (Captain),3. Ma'afu Fia,4. Brad Thorn,5. Josh Bekhuis,6. Joe Wheeler,7. John Hardie,8. Jake Paringatai ,9. Aaron Smith,10. Lima Sopoaga,11. Hosea Gear (Vice-captain),12. Ma'a Nonu,13. Phil Burleigh ,14. Kade Poki ,15. Ben Smith

Replacements :16. Brayden Mitchell ,17. Chris King ,18. Jarrad Hoeata ,19. Tim Boys,20. Fumiaki Tanaka,21. Colin Slade ,22. Shaun Treeby