The fun has been had, the serious work is about to begin - and it is a tough task ahead for the Highlanders.
Up against the competition leaders on their own home track, the Highlanders must try and beat the high-flying Sharks at Durban tomorrow morning (NZ time).
The Highlanders have been in Johannesburg since the weekend, getting over jet lag and finding their feet, with a light training load.
They transferred to Durban yesterday and now the Sharks come into full view.
Coach Jamie Joseph was under no illusions about the task ahead and said only a very good performance would topple the Jake White-coached team.
''They are the form team of the competition, although they have not been on tour yet. But they are not top of the table by chance,'' Joseph said from South Africa.
''They will be well prepared, are well led and well coached, and difficult to beat at home. The way we are assessing the game is that we go into it with some confidence after our last performance.
''In these sort of games you just have to perform and play as well as you can.''
The Highlanders beat the Bulls 27-20 in their last game but that seems like an age ago, with a bye last week.
''That bye did not really come at a good time for us. We had put on a good performance against the Bulls and then have had to rest from that ... But we have no injuries, apart from Thorny [Brad Thorn], and everyone is in good health.
''You can only do so much early on ... we are fully recovered now. We are only a young team and with Thorny not being here, that hurts us a bit in terms of touring experience.''
The Highlanders had flown to South Africa a day earlier than usual to try to beat the jet leg, and will have to wait until the game to see how that plan worked out.
Co-captain Ben Smith said there had been a long wait for this game but minds were in the right place and it was important to find a balance between on and off the field.
The Highlanders were stung in the penalty count last time out against the Bulls and Joseph said that came down to some indisciplined play and players trying to be too desperate in certain situations.
Openside flanker Shane Christie was penalised several times and the Highlanders loose forwards will have to be accurate against an experienced Sharks trio.
Giving away penalties will be dangerous up against Sharks sharp-shooter Francois Steyn, who can kick goals from more than 60m.
This is the final game for the Sharks before they begin a four-match tour of Australia and New Zealand, so they will want to farewell King's Park with a victory.
The Highlanders beat the Sharks last year in Dunedin but have not won in Durban since 2005.
With the Crusaders out of action this weekend, and the other three New Zealand teams having tough games against Australian teams, a Highlanders win would be a real bonus for the side.