Pocock will be back in the Brumbies' starting side for the clash against the Free State Cheetahs as injuries force Larkham to implement the biggest team reshuffle of the season.

Winger Henry Speight has been moved to outside centre to replace Tevita Kuridrani (shoulder), while James Dargaville will make his Super Rugby starting debut on the wing.

Rookie lock Blake Enever has been called in to replace Rory Arnold while Jarrad Butler shifts back to No. 8 to make way for Pocock.

Pocock has played just 20 minutes from the bench since injuring his ankle in the opening game of the season.

Larkham contributed to Pocock's injury curse when he joked after a man of the match performance in round one that Pocock needed to string two consecutive games together to prove he's back.

"Let's just touch a bit of wood every time we talk about it," Larkham said.

"He had a significant knee injury [in 2013 and 2014] and came and hit the ground running, he played exceptionally well in the first game this year even with 50 minutes with a syndesmosis [ankle] injury.

"He was near our best player [against the NSW Waratahs], he's a quality player. All of these injuries have been coincidental and I think he's back to full strength now. I'd certainly like to see him back on the paddock for the rest of this season and I think that's a realistic expectation."

Pocock's 30-minute cameo against the Waratahs two weeks ago was overshadowed by a homophobic slur from NSW forward Jacques Potgieter.

Pocock was criticised in some circles for his decision to alert referee Craig Joubert to Potgieter's actions.

But Larkham said the issue was over and the players had moved on.

"That was the Waratahs game, it was a difficult week because the issue wasn't about [Pocock], it was about the comment from a Waratahs player," Larkham said.

"But Poey handles that sort of stuff very well. He's been very focused, and like everyone in the team we've put that behind us now."

The Brumbies have also made changes to their bench, with Ita Vaea being used as an impact player, Australian under-20s prop Allan Alaalatoa getting his first chance of the season and outside back Nigel Ah Wong also included.

The Brumbies had boasted the same starting back line for the first six games of the season before Kuridrani's shoulder injury forced changes.

Speight gets a chance to have more of an impact at outside centre while Dargaville has been called on to the wing.

"It's very surreal, I'm very excited and it's a good opportunity for me to have a full game," Dargaville said.

"The Cheetahs have some incredible backs ... we'll have a tough time trying to contain it all.

"I just have to do my job. The [Wallabies representatives in the back line] will create the opportunities for me so I've got to stay on the end of the line and finish what they give me."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Free State Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. David Pocock, 8. Jarrad Butler, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Henry Speight, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Robbie Coleman. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Ita Vaea, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Nigel Ah Wong, 23. Lausii Taliauli.