The Highlanders have never lost to the Cheetahs, and for the sake of their season they had best keep that record intact tomorrow morning.
Though the season is still fresh and there are plenty of games ahead, the Highlanders, who have lost their opening two games, vitally need a win in Bloemfontein.
With two tough games in the republic after tomorrow morning's encounter, the Highlanders know this is a match in the must-win category.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has responded to the close loss to the Blues in Dunedin last weekend by tweaking his side, looking for quickness to the ball and using the ball out wide.
Adam Thomson moves to No 8, with Southland rookie John Hardie coming into the side on the blindside flank.
"We've seen that combination in the past two games and it's looked pretty good when they've been on the field.
"So we've decided to go with them this week.
"Adam has played plenty of games at No 8 and is an experienced player," Moore said.
"We've got to start well against these guys and make sure everyone does their job.
"It is pretty simple really.
"We have done some work this week on how we think we can get into them."
The Highlanders need to turn half-chances into points and make sure they do not drop off at vital stages against a Cheetahs side which has started the season with some promising signs.
Traditional cellar-dwellers, the Cheetahs gave the Bulls a good run for their money before losing 51-34, and beat the Sharks 25-20 last week.
The side from the Orange Free State will have undoubtedly gained confidence from its first two matches.
"They are an excellent side, with a loose forward trio which would have to be one of the best in the business," Moore said.
Captain and flanker Juan Smith is back into some good form after a spell away from the game to rest his battered body, while on the other side of the scrum, Heinrich Brussouw had a stand-out year in 2009, catapulting his way into the Springboks line-up.
His clash with the likes of Alando Soakai and Hardie will be a key to the match.
Moore said the Highlanders had settled well in Africa and had a good couple of training runs in Johannesburg before travelling to Bloemfontein yesterday.
He was confident the side would handle the altitude and the hot weather.
The weather had not been too extreme since they arrived.
It is expected to be fine and hot in Bloemfontein for the match.
Michael Hobbs will handle the goal-kicking duties, despite a couple of important misses last week.
Fullback Israel Dagg will be the back-up kicker, but Moore said he was confident in Hobbs' ability.
Hobbs spoke to All Black kicking coach Mick Byrne this week about his kicking technique.
The 22-year-old has brought some freshness to the backline and his running game has kept defences guessing.
He will also need to distribute well and the Highlanders must make sure they use the skills of the likes of Ben Smith and Fetu'u Vainikolo out wide.
The clash will be refereed by South African Pro Legoete, in his first Super 14 season.
He replaces Australian Stuart Dickinson, who pulled out of the match because of injury.
• Some vintage Crusaders Super 14 rugby form returned as a dominant forward effort carried them to a 35-6 defeat of the Sharks in Christchurch, NZPA reported last night.
In the wake of last week's disastrous 41-20 humbling from the Queensland Reds, the Crusaders were more disciplined, smothering their opponents in the physical exchanges.
Result: Crusaders 35 (Zac Guildford 2, Adam Whitelock, Quentin MacDonald tries; Dan Carter 3 penalty goals, 3 conversions), Sharks 6 (Rory Kockott 2 penalty goals).
Half-time: 10-6.
Highlanders v Cheetahs
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Time: 4.05am tomorrow (NZ time)
Referee: Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Odds: $2.60 Highlanders, $1.45 Cheetahs
PREVIOUS MATCHES
2009: Dunedin: 32-8: Highlanders
2008: Bloemfontein: 31-28: Highlanders
2007: Invercargill: 21-17: Highlanders
2006: Bloemfentein: 17-12: Highlanders
