The nuggety hooker, who first played for the franchise in 2006, going on against the Stormers at Newlands, was unaware he was about to bring up 50 games of Super 14 rugby, although he knew it was some time this year.
However, Macdonald is not one to dwell on milestones - there is more work to be done, starting with a win against the Lions at Carisbrook on Friday night.
"This is really a must-win. But they will be very competitive.
"The fact that they [Lions] have been on the road for a long time now means they will be used to the travel," he said.
Macdonald said the Highlanders had been playing well in patches but that was not leading to the right result on the scoreboard.
"We are just trying to find the rub of the green at the moment.
"With the exception of the Stormers game we have been really competitive in all of our matches.
"It is a just a mix of things that the wins aren't coming.
"Errors at the wrong time, a lack of finishing. We are creating plenty of opportunities.
"People say you make your own luck but a lot of time for one reason or another things tend to go the other way."
Macdonald spent last year at the Crusaders, playing 13 games for the champion franchise on its run to the semifinals.
He said there did not appear to be much difference between the Crusaders and the Highlanders in terms of what they did in preparing for the match.
"They do not train any different. They [Crusaders] are one of those teams where the rub of the green has gone their way for a long time.
"But, like I said, you make your own luck. With their results they have made a lot of luck year after year.
"For the province and the players here we have to try and emulate what they have done."
Macdonald said the side had the majority of its remaining games at home so needed to concentrate on them, and treat every game as the last one.
He had only started one game this season, against the Bulls in Pretoria, and said he just wanted to contribute to the team as much as he could.
Macdonald (29) joined the franchise in 2006, the understudy to Anton Oliver, and said the players had changed over the years, as well as the laws.
"Every year there seem to be numerous rule changes but the players just adapt and get on with it."
Macdonald said the three-week trip to South Africa was good from a rugby point of view but he missed his family, including new daughter Juno (6 months).
"That was tough. That has been the longest I have been away from them since she was born.
"We used Skype when we could and also regular phone calls. When I got to the airport she could still remember me."
