Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has decided to go for six forwards and just two backs on his bench in a match which is expected to be quick.
The Lions have scored the most points and the most tries of any team in the Super rugby competition this season and play a helter-skelter game using the ball all round the park.
In last weekend's quarterfinal, the Lions put more than 40 points on the Crusaders at Ellis Park and will be looking to do the same this weekend.
Throw in the playing at altitude and the long flight across the Indian Ocean and it will be a test of endurance for the defending champions.
Not surprisingly, Joseph will want to use his bench wisely and will be looking to get fresh legs on in the final 20 minutes of the match The match is played in the afternoon with a 3pm kick-off local time (1am Sunday, NZ time) and the Lions are bound to throw the ball around.
The Highlanders also went for a six forwards-two backs split in its match against the Chiefs two weeks ago.
The changes to the Highlanders, who got past the Brumbies in a tight match in Canberra last Friday night, all come in the forwards.
Lock Alex Ainley comes into the side at lock and Luke Whitelock shifts back to his normal position at No8.
Liam Squire goes to the bench. After some concern he had picked up a concussion against the Brumbies, prop Daniel Lienert-Brown has been given the all clear and he will team up with Ash Dixon and Josh Hohneck in the front row.
Co-captain Shane Christie has come back to Dunedin and James Lentjes goes straight into the side on the openside flank.
Dan Pryor, who has become something of a specialist off the bench, will again come off the pine.
Lock Joe Wheeler, who last played for the side against the Jaguares three weeks ago, comes on to the bench.
First five-eighth Marty Banks, who has had a wretched run with injury, damaging ribs and his hamstring, is back on the bench.
Banks is bound to see some action but, with the Highlanders backline full of versatile players it was not a hard decision to go with just two backs on the bench.
The team only has to look back to last year to realise how vital it is to play an 80-minute game at Ellis Park.
The Highlanders were up 20-3 at one stage but ended up losing 28-23 as the Lions came steaming home.
That match was the only time in the franchise's history it scored two dropped goals in a match.
It will not care about creating a history on how it scores points when it hits Ellis Park this weekend.
The weather has been chilly in Johannesburg, dropping well down to single figures at night but it is expected to be fine for the match.
Highlanders team
To play the Lions
Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Wheeler, Liam Squire, Dan Pryor, Te Aime Toma, Marty Banks
