Experience will be a key for the Highlanders in their run home as the side looks to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
The Highlanders are sitting in fifth position on the table, with a record of seven wins and two losses, and take on the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning.
The team had exactly the same winning percentage last season but the wheels fell off in the run home, as it picked up one victory in the final seven games.
Coach Jamie Joseph said more experience in the team should help it overcome any jitters in the rest of the season.
"It is a different team this year. Last year, we had the likes of Lima Sopoaga, who was only 19, playing in a key position," Joseph said.
"This year there are a lot of older heads out there. You've got the likes of Andrew Hore and Jason Rutledge in the front row with a lot of experience and guys all round the team. They have a calming influence on the team.
"You're talking about some guys who have played 60 to 70 tests and have been around. These guys do know what to do when the heat goes on.
"But whether we make it or not we are not too sure. If you asked every other team, they too, will be trying hard. Everyone is scratching out for a win."
The Highlanders managed to squeak out a victory against the Cheetahs last weekend, coming back from a 21-point deficit to win the game in the final minute.
But they are not resting on their laurels. Joseph said the team had had a reasonably busy week as it tried to atone for a sloppy first half against the Cheetahs.
"You cannot rest all the time. You need to train to fix the things which did not go right last week. It is a fine line."
The Sharks are sitting mid-table and are coming off a bye after playing nine straight games.
"They are a quality side and ran the Chiefs really close and perhaps should have beaten them. They beat the Blues quite easily and would have been disappointed in their game against the Hurricanes.
"They are a pretty complete team with good strong forwards who are obviously pretty keen for a win. So are we, so it should be a pretty tough battle."
The Highlanders do not have a great record against the Sharks, having lost the past five games against them, although under the format of the Super 15 draw the sides did not clash last year.
The Durban-based team could be bolstered by the inclusion this week of prop Beast Mtawarira and No 8 Ryan Kankowski, who are coming back from long-term injuries.
The Highlanders face selection issues after openside flanker James Haskell was banned for three weeks for throwing a punch in the Cheetahs match.
Joseph said Doug Tietjens was an option, although Adam Thomson had played tests at openside flanker.
Siale Piutau is likely to come back into the starting side on the right wing, after impressing off the bench last week.
