The Chiefs management are showing they are not afraid to swing the selection axe by making eight changes ahead of the side's clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Anton Lienert-Brown, with ball in hand against the Blues in February, makes his Investec Super Rugby debut on Sunday. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

After stumbling to an unexpected 18-15 loss to the Western Force on the opening travel leg the defending champions face an even tougher assignment in South Africa, having not beaten the Bulls on their home patch since 2001.

Coach Dave Rennie has made five changes in the forward pack with prop Pauliasi Manu, hooker Rhys Marshall, lock Matt Symons, flanker Tanerau Latimer and No 8 Kane Thompson getting a chance to shine.

The five replace Jamie Mackintosh, Mahonri Schwalger, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane and Liam Squire respectively.

For Cane this was his first full 80 minutes after returning from a pre-season knee injury and it looks like he and Latimer will continue their rotation policy, which worked so well last season.

In the backline, centre Tim Nanai-Williams, who experienced a minor hamstring tweak in the last game, will move to the bench replaced by Andrew Horrell.

Anton Lienert-Brown, 18, makes his Investec Super Rugby debut on the wing after some strong performances during the pre-season with Mils Muliaina moving back to fullback in place of Gareth Anscombe.

Anscombe is joined on the bench by Ben Afeaki, Mackintosh, Schwalger, Fitzgerald and Cane.

The Chiefs remain top of the New Zealand conference despite slipping in their last match but are now fifth on the overall table, equal on points with the Bulls.

Chiefs squad to face the Bulls on Sunday:

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Matt Symons
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Kane Thompson
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden ©
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Tom Marshall
13. Andrew Horrell
14. Anton Lienert-Brown
15. Mils Muliaina
16. Mahonri Schwalger
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Ben Afeaki
19. Michael Fitzgerald
20. Sam Cane
21. Augustine Pulu
22. Gareth Anscombe
23. Tim Nanai-Williams