The Highlanders have played in five playoff games, one of them the memorable final in Dunedin in 1999. But what of the other four? Rugby writer Steve Hepburn walks down memory lane to look at those four games.
1998: Semifinal, v Blues, Auckland, lost 37-31
The year before, the Highlanders had finished bottom of the table, so hopes were not high the following season.
Tony Gilbert came in and the players seemed to grow a leg over the season.
The side made the semifinals but faced a tough task in Auckland. But the players gave as good as they got, tackling like demons and finding the way to the tryline.
The Highlanders were down 30-26 late in the game, played on a Saturday afternoon, but had the ascendancy.
Winger Jeremy Stanley went to shepherd the ball into touch when he was barrelled by Blues opposite Joeli Vidiri. Adrian Cashmore picked the ball up to run away and score for the Blues.
It should have been a penalty to the Highlanders but the South's two favourite sons - referee Colin Hawke and touch judge Steve Walsh - decided between them the try should stand.
The Highlanders came fighting back and nearly won the game, lock Brendon Timmins just failing to take a pass which could have clinched the game at the death.
1999: Semifinal, v Stormers, Cape Town, won 33-18.
A narrow loss to the Hurricanes in the final round forced the Highlanders on to the plane to take on the Stormers in Cape Town.
It looked a bridge too far, specially when the side was down 11-0 early on.
But the Highlanders came out of their shells and scored the next 22 points in front of 50,000 at Newlands.
Playing in white, the visiting side managed to keep in front as the Stormers came back in the second half.
With 10 minutes to go, captain Taine Randell got on the end of a Highlanders movement to score and clinch the victory for the Highlanders.
The team then had to travel all the way back to Dunedin for the final against the Crusaders and we all know the unfortunate story about that.
2000: Semifinal, v Crusaders, Christchurch, lost 37-15
The Highlanders came into the semifinal with little or no momentum after having lost five of their past seven games.
The side was lacking spark but still had plenty of quality players to give the Crusaders a fright.
However, the home side had a bounce of confidence in its play despite not having Norm Maxwell or Justin Marshall, who pulled out late with injuries.
The Crusaders started well and Ben Hurst was proving an adequate replacement for Marshall.
All Black centre Mark Robinson made some nice runs and the Highlanders were lacking any quality ball.
Down 19-8 at the break, the visiting side tried to get back into the game but it just did not happen.
It was not helped by Australian referee Wayne Erickson, who handed out 17 penalties against the Highlanders and just four against the Crusaders.
Jeff Wilson announced straight after the game he was taking time out from rugby.
2002: Semifinal, v Crusaders, Christchurch, lost 34-23.
The Highlanders looked to be out of the running after losing to the Waratahs in Sydney.
The side bounced back, though, scoring three wins in a row to qualify for the playoffs, but it was up against a Crusaders side which had just put 90-plus points against the Waratahs.
The home team started well with Andrew Mehrtens pulling the strings.
Down 18-6 at the break, the Highlanders actually won the second half but it was too late, as the Crusaders were never challenged.
The Highlanders did not help themselves by missing 24 tackles.
Straight after the game Wilson announced he was quitting rugby for good, wanting to pursue his other love, cricket.
The Crusaders went on to beat the Brumbies in the final and go through the season unbeaten.