The Highlanders have announced they will be taking a preseason game to Invercargill after the southern city missed out on getting a full Super Rugby Pacific clash.
They will play their greatest rivals at Rugby Park on Waitangi Day, a Thursday.
It will be their final preseason game before Super Rugby starts a week earlier than usual and they head to Sydney to face the Waratahs on February 14.
While hosting all seven regular home games in Dunedin makes perfect sense from an economic standpoint, it is never a great look when the Highlanders do not include Invercargill in the schedule, so a preseason game — and a tasty one, too, against New Zealand opposition and likely to feature all the best players — should go some way to getting Southlanders on side.
It seems likely there will also be a Stags favourite leading the Highlanders out as prop Ethan de Groot appears odds-on to replace Japan-bound Billy Harmon as permanent captain.
The Highlanders last played in Invercargill in March 2023, when they beat the Western Force 43-35 in a Super Rugby game.
They have played 23 games in the city since 1996 for a record of 16 wins, six losses and a draw.
That 70% winning mark is their best at any ground at which they have played at least 10 games.
Jamie Joseph, returning to the role of Highlanders coach, said he was pleased to be heading to Rugby Park.
"Playing a quality side like the Crusaders a week out from the competition is exactly what we need, and it’s fantastic that we are playing in Invercargill.
"A few of our players are passionate Stags and hopefully, given it’s a day off, we can get a roaring crowd along to support the team. They love their footy in Southland."
Highlanders marketing manager Amanda Gould said there would be an opportunity for Southland fans to interact with the team.
It was the first time the Highlanders had played a game on Waitangi Day and the club hoped for a big turnout, she said.
The Highlanders’ front-of-jersey sponsor, SBS Bank, has played a key role in taking the game to Invercargill.
Children aged 12 and under will get free entry with a paying adult.
"We know Southlanders look forward to the Super Rugby season and backing our home team, the Highlanders," SBS chief executive Mark McLean said.
"It will be a top week of sport for Invercargill, which will also be hosting the Burt Munro motorcycle racing event that week."
The Highlanders did the double over the old enemy last year.
They beat the Crusaders 41-14 in the preseason game in Methven then snapped their long losing streak against New Zealand teams with a Cameron Millar masterclass and a 32-29 win over the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
