Any hopes of going on a winning run after their first victory of the season last week went up in smoke yesterday with a 34-27 loss to the gutsy Kings in Port Elizabeth.
The Highlanders returned to their standard form this season - too many errors at crucial times, inaccurate goal kicking and a lack of possession.
The visiting side did not deserve to win and was outpassioned by a Kings side very much up for the game.
But, let's not beat about the bush: Jason Jaftha looked every inch the rookie referee he is. He had a big impact on the game, and his rulings at the breakdown were puzzling, to say the least.
Highlanders captain Andrew Hore said after the game he was trying to get on the same page as Jaftha in his rulings.
It looked as though Hore, and the bulk of the Highlanders, were reading a completely different book to the South African referee.
Hore said his side just did not have enough possession to mount any attacks.
''We did not have any ball in that first half and they showed us how to use it. At halftime, we talked about wanting to hang on to the ball but we did not do that,'' he said.
''I was trying to work out what some of the penalties were for, asking him a few questions.''
The Highlanders started poorly, conceding four penalties in the first 10 minutes. They allowed the first Kings try from a rolling maul after 30 minutes, with Kings skipper Luke Watson going over.
The visiting team then hit a purple patch, scoring tries through Colin Slade - after a nice chip and chase - and Brad Thorn, who was on hand to barge over after Shaun Treeby had broken down the field.
But after the halftime hooter had gone, Watson scored his second try, again from a rolling maul, and the home team went in 20-17 ahead.
The Kings then got a rumble on in the second half and big No 8 Cornell du Preez went over after 15 phases.
Jaftha issued Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison with a yellow card - for a breakdown infringement - straight after the try, and the Highlanders ran out of numbers five minutes later when halfback Shaun Venter skipped down the sideline to score.
Fighting a rearguard action, and down 17 points, the Highlanders scored twice in the final 10 minutes. Treeby crossed, after a nice ball from John Hardie, while Hosea Gear powered over with just over five minutes to go.
But Slade missed both conversions, ending with a 50% goal-kicking record that is not good enough at this level.
Fittingly, the Kings won a penalty and kicked it out to finish the game.
Best for the Highlanders was Treeby, while Thorn toiled hard. But there were again too many indifferent efforts from the Highlanders. Hardie made plenty of tackles, but the heroes were from the home team.
Kings v Highlanders
The scores
Kings 34
Luke Watson 2, Cornell du Preez, Shaun Venter tries; Demetri Catrakilis 4 con, 2 pen
Highlanders 28
Colin Slade, Brad Thorn, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear tries; Slade 2 con, pen
Halftime: Kings 34-27.
