The Highlanders beat the Crusaders 29-26 in a pre-season game in Timaru this afternoon.
The sides had no touring All Blacks in their squads and, with plenty of players carrying niggles, they were far from full strength.
The Highlanders will face the Brumbies on January 31 in their next pre-season game, and their first Super 15 game of the year will be played in Dunedin on February 21 against the Crusaders.
