Bekhuis, who forms a solid locking partnership with Tom Donnelly, said the match tonight was one on which the Highlanders had to stamp their authority.
"It is a must-win game for us really.
"In this sort of competition you need to get off to a good start and also with this being our first game at home we want to do well," Bekhuis said.
"The guys started well last week and, although we didn't win [against the Crusaders], we had some good moments.
"If we had managed to string a few more passes together then we would have been all right."
Bekhuis (23) was impressive last week, making a few runs out wide and winning his fair share of line-out ball, and the Southlander said he enjoyed an open game and getting his hands on the ball.
"It's something I've always wanted to do but sometimes the way the game goes you can't always do that.
"But the new rules seem to help.
"There seemed to be a lot less kicking and for a lock that's good.
"You don't want to stand in the middle of the field for so long watching the ball go back and forwards."
The Highlanders, fighting tonight to win the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy for the first time since 2006, need to hang on to the ball more and play some football in the opening period.
"They're in the same boat as us really, with losing their first game, so they are going to be really desperate.
"But they weren't far away last week and neither were we."
Bekhuis is into just his second season with the Highlanders but is already being tipped among some pundits as a future All Black.
"It's something that is always in the back of my mind and I've thought about it a bit more this year.
"But it comes back to playing well with the Highlanders and being consistent in my play.
"Hopefully, I will become a regular starter but there is a lot of pressure on me.
"We've got some good locks here so you've got to be on your game.
"But that brings the best out of each other and everyone helps out."
Bekhuis is flatting with four of his Southland team-mates: Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh, John Hardie and Robbie Robinso.
He said they shared the cooking roster, and being a professional sportsman it was not fish and chips every night.
The two teams are somewhat similar - both have exciting outside backs, a couple of relative greenhorns in the No 10 jersey, and solid forward packs.
If anything, the Highlanders have the loose forward capabilities to shade the Blues.
It is a big match for Steven Setephano.
The No 8 looked impressive in pre-season matches and gets his chance after injury to Nasi Manu.
Michael Hobbs gets an opportunity to start and show he is more than a 40-minute cameo.
Hobbs must be accurate with his goal-kicking and steer his side around.
If he can get his side in the right parts of the field, and use the talents of those on the outside, then the Highlanders will be in with more than a show.
Venue: Carisbrook
Time: 7.35pm tonight
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Odds: $2 Highlanders, $1.75 Blues
PREVIOUS MATCHES
2009: Auckland: 22-6 Blues
2008: Dunedin: 40-15 Blues
2007: Auckland: 28-9 Blues
2006: Dunedin: 25-13 Highlanders
2005: Dunedin: 30-14 Blues
