Michael Hobbs has made a lightning start to this year's Super 14 but Highlanders coach Glenn Moore believes the inside back has plenty left to give.
Hobbs (22) scored the crucial try against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein yesterday morning (NZ time) to secure the 31-24 win for the Highlanders and give the southern side its first win of the season.
It was a close run thing at times for the Highlanders but Hobbs had a fine attacking game, helping set up the first try for centre Kendrick Lynn before doing it all himself near the end.
He made a break to link with Jason Shoemark and then picked up the ball a metre out to score the try, which was ultimately the difference between the teams.
Moore said Hobbs had made a great start to the season and was looking lively.
"He has got some attacking ability and is really precise on attack. I do believe he has got the goods and is improving with each game," Moore said.
Hobbs' try was his fourth in three games.
"He shows a lot of courage defensively, and though he has to work on his goal kicking, he is pretty committed to doing that and put a lot of time into it."
Hobbs missed an easy conversion of winger Fetu'u Vainikolo's try and fullback Israel Dagg then took over the goal kicking, eventually finishing with 14 points.
Moore said Hobbs' back got a bit tight and Dagg had been practising all week so was not afraid to take on the goal-kicking responsibility.
Moore said the win had set up the three-match tour in South Africa, and he was pleased with the desperation from his side.
"This win really cements the tour. We knew how important it was to win here and they are a good quality side. But we created some pressure and used the full width of the field.
"The guys were disappointed with what happened last week against the Blues and we really needed this one.
After coming over here and a couple of good trainings, the guys really worked hard today.
"These games do come down to a fine line. There is not much between any of these teams. Last week, we were pipped by the Blues and then today right at the end we had some calls go against us."
Moore said with the temperature topping 38degC in Bloemfontein yesterday afternoon, the team had showed character not to wilt, although the shadow on the ground meant the game was played in cooler conditions.
He said defence coach Barry Matthews had worked hard with the side and there was plenty of desperate tackles put in.
He was pleased with the delivery of the ball from the lineout to halfback Jimmy Cowan, and felt prop Jamie Mackintosh had a huge game.
Adam Thomson appeared to score a try for the Highlanders at the end but it was ruled out by the third match official.
Moore said Thomson believed he had scored the try while the two Cheetahs tries were both awarded after lengthy deliberations by the third match official.
The side would travel to Cape Town today to prepare for a match against the Stormers next Sunday morning.
The victory by the Highlanders completed a clean sweep for the New Zealand sides in the third round of the competition.
The Crusaders got the ball rolling with a comfortable 35-6 victory over the Sharks in Christchurch on Friday night.
In Cape Town, the Brumbies just finished ahead of the Stormers, winning 19-17 in a match which featured a lot of poor kicking.
The Hurricanes continued their unbeaten start to the season, winning 33-18 over an enterprising Lions side.
The Blues soaked up some Reds pressure in a damp Brisbane before coming home well to win 27-18, while in Perth the Chiefs won their third straight match, beating the Force 37-19 and leaving the Western Australian side bottom of the table, and the only side in the competition without a point.
The Bulls remained at the top of the table, beating the Waratahs 48-38 at Pretoria, although the visiting side threw away an early 17-point advantage.
