The Chiefs were in a similar predicament last year, with four defeats and a draw in the first five rounds.

But they then embarked on a run of seven victories in their eight remaining fixtures, only just missing out on the semifinals.

"We were in the situation like the Highlanders are in now and we managed to turn it around, so we know we're in for a big one," captain Mils Muliaina said.

"It will be a big scalp for them if they were to come here and take a win from us, so there's no complacency at all."

Muliaina was also well aware that every one the Highlanders' defeats this season has been a close one.

He was expecting a particularly tight scrap among the two sets of loose forwards, with rival skipper Craig Newby leading the charge for the opposition.

"Craig and his boys will really challenge at the breakdown we have to be on the job and make sure we don't turn over too much ball," he said.

"Against the Cheetahs and Stormers, we turned the ball over and were punished for that."

The Chiefs went on to beat the Cheetahs, but couldn't repeat the feat against the Stormers.

In their third match in a row against a South African side, they produced their most consistent performance of their campaign to down the Bulls last weekend.

That result lifted them to ninth on the table with a three-win three-loss record and kept them in with a realistic chance of the making the playoffs.

Muliaina said the acid was put on the pack, missing the likes of skipper Jono Gibbes and fellow-lock Kristian Ormsby to injury, to set the foundation up front against the Bulls and they delivered.

"It was pleasing they stood up and laid a really good platform and some good tries were scored," he said.

"The guys out wide were prepared to have a go and there was a lot of confidence as the points piled on."

The important thing now was to back up that effort and nail consecutive wins for the first time this year, Muliaina said.

The Chiefs have been boosted by the return of two of their backline weapons, winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and centre Richard Kahui.

Both are coming back from ankle injury and their inclusions are the only changes to the starting 15.

Their availability also gives the bench added depth with Dwayne Sweeney and Viliame Waqaseduadua's move to the reserves.

The Chiefs have been sorely hit by injuries since the start of the season and Muliaina said it was a big boost to have players like Sivivatu and Kahui back on deck.

"You can't help things like injuries, but it has hindered us a bit," he said.

"We would turn up to a Monday training session and not know who would be ready for the weekend.

"Hopefully that's it, because it's certainly been our season for having guys fall over in the early part of the Super 14."

The Chiefs have recent history on their side against the Highlanders.

They have won the four previous matches between the franchises, including a 38-34 victory last year when both sides scored five tries.