Stephen Donald will start at second-five eighth for the Chiefs in their quarterfinal against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Veteran Stephen Donald will start at second five-eighth for the Chiefs in their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZ time).

With Seta Tamanivalu out of the trip with a knee injury, the Chiefs' midfield stocks are thin and it will be just Donald's second start of the season, to go with his stunning effort in the match against Wales.

The 32-year-old former All Black wore the No 10 against the Crusaders three weeks back when Aaron Cruden was coming back from national duties and injury, and this time Cruden will take the playmaker's role, with Donald pushing Anton Lienert-Brown out to centre.

PHOTOSPORT Stephen Donald will be hoping to carry his outstanding form against Wales into the Super Rugby playoffs.

Sam Vaka was the other option for the midfield but he has been left out of the squad - along with prop Siate Tokolahi - with Sam McNicol, who's starting on the right wing, to provide the midfield cover.

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Coach Dave Rennie said there was full faith that Donald could perform well for them in their biggest game of the season to date.

"I think the big reasoning around Beaver is his experience, his voice, he's really clear in our structures and so on, I think he'll certainly help Aaron [Cruden] out," Rennie said. "He's prepared really well. We've got a lot of confidence in Beaver, and while he hasn't had a big history of playing 12, we're confident he can do the job."

Despite Toni Pulu impressing against the Highlanders last weekend, McNicol gets a fifth start of the season, and first since April 29, with Rennie wanting to have seen Pulu involved more in the play, liking what McNicol offers and happy to see Pulu play an impact role.

Brad Weber has also been given the nod at halfback, switching with Tawera Kerr-Barlow

The Chiefs' tight five remains the same, while prop Mitchell Graham returns from a hamstring injury to take a spot on the bench in place of Hiroshi Yamashita, who didn't travel due to family reasons.

Liam Messam and Mitchell Brown's ineligibility sees Tom Sanders shift back to No 8 and Taleni Seu promoted to start on the blindside flank, which leaves Lachlan Boshier and Tevita Koloamatangi on the bench - not the ideal scenario given both are openside flankers.

But with Koloamatangi - who hasn't played any footy this year due to concussion and shoulder problems - being part of the Chiefs' original squad, their hands were tied.

Rennie could have shifted Sam Cane back to No 8 and started Boshier at seven, like he did against the Reds a fortnight back, but was keen to have Seu on the park

"They've got a hell of a lineout, these guys, real gazelles, and we felt having Taleni on the field was real important for us. Obviously he's our lock cover, it would put us under a little bit of pressure if he got dinged early, but both Brodie and Dom are used to playing 80 [minutes]."

CHIEFS: Damian McKenzie, Sam McNicol, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Donald, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (co-c), Brad Weber, Tom Sanders, Sam Cane, Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Atu Moli, Nathan Harris, Kane Hames. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Tevita Koloamatangi, Lachlan Boshier, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson.