The Highlanders have lost their third game of 2012, as Patrick Lambie scored all 28 of the Sharks points en-route to a 28-16 win.
It was a messy game in which both teams were guilty of making mistakes, helped along by the pouring rain making for a slippery ball. The Sharks adapted best to this though, playing good wet weather rugby seeing they emerged deserved winners.
Penalties were the main feature of the game, as both sides infringed numerous times around the breakdown, preventing any sort of fluidity entering the game. This ill-discipline was what cost the Highlanders giving away far too many penalties within kickable range, all of which Patrick Lambie cashed in on, kicking a perfect seven from seven penalty goals.
They continued to look to run the ball out from their own half, a tactic they've persisted with but has seen them put themselves under far too much pressure at times. In a close game like this one when penalties are occurring regularly, it's too much of a risky strategy to do too often.
In contrast the Sharks looked to play territory, being content with letting the Highlanders run it back at them and waiting for the mistake. As a consequence the Highlanders did far more attacking, but the Sharks defence was able to hold strong for the most part and were able to cash in through the steady flow of penalties in the Highlanders half.
The forwards didn't operate well, dropping ball too much ball and not gaining ascendency at the breakdowns. They struggled at set piece time too, with the scrum barely holding on and the lineout a mess. A combination of these things meant the backs had little platform to operate from and consequently, breaks were hard to come by.
There were passages where they did put together some phases and looked good for it, one of which resulted in a Kurt Baker try in the right corner.
But too often a ball runner would get isolated or a ball would be dropped meaning the Sharks were never really under the pump on defence.
The backs tried to make the best of what they had and looked dangerous at times, making several breaks. But never were they able to finish any of these. Ben Smith was outstanding once again, constantly looking dangerous from the back but was perhaps guilty of trying too much at times.
But it was a game dominated by the forwards, which was ultimately where the game was lost.
Despite this, the loss may not have been as bad as it seems.
Winning in South Africa is tough, and winning twice there in one season is even tougher.
Even the 1999 team that went on to make the final received a 32-8 thrashing at the hands of the Sharks in Durban. It was always going to be a big ask, and while a win would have been a big help, returning from South Africa with four competition points has to be seen as a positive outcome.
The key from here is how they kick on.
With the four New Zealand teams as well as the Bulls and Reds still to play, it's not an easy run in with none of these being easy games.
Take into account the congestion in the middle of the table, each of these games becomes even more crucial. Winning will not only give the Highlanders four points, but deprive the opposition of these points which will be crucial in the end.
Ultimately though, they have just got to keep winning. Put the South African trip behind them and get back up for a big game against the Hurricanes at home next week.