However, the side appears to have firmed up about who is going to fill the boots of Lima Sopoaga next year.
The men from the South limped to a heavy 38-12 loss to the Sharks yesterday in Durban and face a tough few days.
First, they have to fly all the way back to Dunedin.
They are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning.From there, they will have to get over any jet lag, get some tired and wounded bodies back in shape and then face up to the top South African side, the Lions, at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.
Obviously, the task is not easy, but to make things worse, form back Rob Thompson is in doubt.
Thompson left the field in the second half against the Sharks and failed his head injury assessment. He has entered the concussion protocol and would seem an unlikely starter for the game against the Lions.
The Lions will be well rested and eager to get some points in the final game of their road trip.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said his team was down on the required levels in both energy and physicality in the match in Durban.
"When you look at the game, we did not quite get it right mentally.
"In this game, at this level, if you’re off by about 3-4%, then you are going to struggle,’’ he said.
"We just did not put them under pressure for any period of time and our physicality was not up to the standard needed.’’
He did not think the side was tired after the tough game against the Bulls the week before.
"But that is a learning for us. We’ve got to be desperate from the start. We had talked about it at training this week and what we had to do. We will review our processes.
"But there’s no need to panic.’’
Mauger said some of the mistakes and individual errors were poor.
"There were too many of those. That is a mental thing ... just a lack of skill execution.’’
He said the players would make the most of the short week and getting home, and the tour of South Africa had been good for the growth of his side.
Meanwhile, North Harbour first five-eighth Bryn Gatland is reportedly heading to the Highlanders next year.
The New Zealand Herald reported yesterday Gatland would leave the Blues at the end of the season and replace Sopoaga, who is heading to England to play for Wasps.
Gatland has played on and off for the Blues this year but would be behind Stephen Perofeta and Otere Black next season.
Gatland, who turns 23 on Thursday, is a tidy first five-eighth, and also a good goal-kicker.
The Highlanders have Josh Ioane and Fletcher Smith on their books but Gatland may fancy his chances of starting ahead of them.
The possibility of Marty Banks returning had been floated but that appears unlikely, as he has signed long-term to play in Japan.