Sydney, Feb 25 NZPA - Raw Southland flanker John Hardie has been handed a challenging first-up assignment -- a maiden Super 14 rugby start against a Springbok-laden loose forward trio in Bloemfontein early Sunday (NZT).

Hardie, 21, has been named on the blindside flank as Highlanders coach Glenn Moore opts for his most mobile back row combination to combat Juan Smith and openside Heinrich Brussow.

Adam Thomson moves to No 8 for the injured Stephen Setephano after playing No 6 in the narrow loss to the Blues last weekend while Alando Soakai goes head to head with Brussow.

Hardie was on the bench for the Highlanders losses to the Crusaders and Blues.

The two other changes see Fetu'u Vainikolo replace James Paterson on the left wing while Kendrick Lynn returns from a groin injury to centre enabling Jason Shoemark to return to second five-eighth at the expense of Jason Hayward.

The Highlanders are anxious to notch their first win after fading in the final quarter against the Crusaders in round one before being edged 19-15 by the Blues at Carisbrook.

Encouragingly the Highlanders have won their last four matches against the Cheetahs -- including their last two visits to the high veld. They won hard fought affairs in 2006 (17-12) and 31-28 two years later.

In a positive sign for the Highlanders, the Cheetahs have not won consecutive matches since their 2006 season featured wins over the Stormers and Reds.

The Cheetahs have named an unchanged side from the line-up that shaded the Sharks 25-20 in Durban last weekend.

The Highlanders team is: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Kenny Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Michael Hobbs, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves - Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Hayden Triggs, Tim Boys, Sean Romans, Mat Berquist, James Paterson.

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