Ma'a Nonu will play his first game for the Hurricanes since 2011 after being named in the starting team to face the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.
Nonu will link with his long-time All Blacks and domestic midfield team-mate Conrad Smith in one of two changes from the starting side who beat the Lions 22-8 last weekend.
Rey Lee-Lo makes way for Nonu at inside centre despite being named man of the match in Johannesburg.
Callum Gibbins will make his first start on the openside flank after Ardie Savea was demoted to the reserves bench.
It will be Nonu's first game since midway through last year when he broke his arm.
He skipped the pre-season and missed the Lions match, remaining at home to witness the birth of his third child.
It will be Nonu's 111th game for the Hurricanes and his 145th Super Rugby appearance.
He has played for the Blues and Highlanders over the last three seasons, having fallen out with former Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett.
The departure of Hammett resulted in an invitation for Nonu to return from new coach Chris Boyd.
The reserves bench features one new face - Prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has overcome a knee problem and replaces Ben May.
Hurricanes: Jason Woodward, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (capt), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Mark Abbott, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, James Marshall, Matt Proctor
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