The Highlanders will have two All Blacks on the bench for the match against the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Sunday but still have plenty of experience in the side.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga and loose forward Liam Squire, who came off the bench for the All Blacks last Saturday night in the test against Wales at Forsyth Barr Stadium, are also riding the pine against the Kings.
While the team flew out to South Africa last Saturday, the All Black duo left Dunedin a day later and arrived in Johannesburg midweek.
However, it is a good benchmark for the side to show it does not need the national representatives to bag a win on the road.
It still has some solid performers in the side - especially up front in the likes of lock Tom Franklin and former All Black Luke Whitelock.
Lock Mark Reddish, who has signed to play for Harlequins in England after this season, takes his place in the second row for his 50th game at this level. He has played the bulk of these games for the Hurricanes but will play his 19th game for the Highlanders in Port Elizabeth.
The two new halfbacks in the squad - Te Aihe Toma and Jamie Booth - have both been named in the squad. Toma will start the game and Booth is expected to make his debut from the bench.
Mobile loose forward Gareth Evans will start at blindside flanker and he will be accompanied in the loose by Shane Christie, who will captain the side, and Luke Whitelock.
It is the same forward pack which started the game last week in Oamaru and paved the way for a convincing victory over the Crusaders in a training match.
Out the back, Marty Banks will get a rare start at first five-eighth after a fine effort against the Crusaders last week.
Rob Thompson and Jason Emery combine in the midfield. It will be Emery's first game back after getting sent off against the Sharks in April.
Ryan Tongia gets his second start of the 2016 season on the left wing while Jack Wilson and Matt Faddes complete the back three. Winger Patrick Osborne, who has just returned from international duty with Fiji, will come off the reserves bench.
The side will fly down from its Johannesburg base to Port Elizabeth later today and should go into the game with some confidence.
The Kings sit bottom of the Super rugby table and have won just two games all season.
They have yet to score a bonus point.
Highlanders v Kings
Port Elizabeth, Sunday, 5.20am
Highlanders: Matt Faddes, Jack Wilson, Jason Emery, Rob Thompson, Ryan Tongia, Marty Banks, Te Aihe Toma, Luke Whitelock, Shane Christie (captain), Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Mark Reddish, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Liam Squire, Dan Pryor, Jamie Booth, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne.
