It is a win or else.
Win or face the embarrassment for the Highlanders of losing to a side which should in reality not even be in the competition.
It is win or be part of a team which would experience one of its worst losses in its history.
It is win or almost do not bother coming home.
Yes, the visiting team in the stunning Nelson Mandela Stadium must simply win tomorrow - and win well.
At the start of the season the Highlanders would have locked this one into the win column.
From then to now, nothing has changed.
The Kings were expected to be awful and they are.
They are dead last in a competition which has plenty of average teams.
The Highlanders are in the fight for the playoffs while many are questioning the existence of the Kings.
The Highlanders know it is time to deliver and though the side is minus most of its All Blacks it is ready to play.
Three weeks of training can do that to you.
Skipper Shane Christie said the side was ready for the game and many players wanted to make the most of a rare start.
"Everyone has prepared really well for this game. We've had an awesome trip so far and many of the guys want to make the most of the opportunity that has been given to them,'' Christie said.
"We have got a lot of ability in this team and the guys do not want to waste the chance. We've been training for a while now and just want to get out and play a game.''
Christie had been out for eight weeks with a hamstring injury and is looking forward to leading the side again.
He was the captain when the side played against the Reds earlier in the season.
The team lost that night in Brisbane and Christie will be keen to make sure that is not repeated.
It should not happen and if it does the Highlanders will only have themselves to blame.
The Kings are a workmanlike team but lack any star power as is demonstrated by the side not having scored a bonus point all season.
Loose forward Gareth Evans gets a rare start and will be eager to show his wares.
Lock Mark Reddish will definitely be up for his 50th appearance at this level.
The Highlanders have been based in Johannesburg this week and are scheduled to fly down to Port Elizabeth today.
The side will play the game and then leave at 6am the following day to begin the long flight to Argentina.
The side's five remaining All Blacks: Elliot Dixon, Lima Sopoaga, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, are scheduled to leave Dunedin this weekend to link up with the side in Buenos Aires.
Fekitoa had facial injuries and a bruised leg after the second test against Wales but Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said yesterday Fekitoa was expected to be right to travel.
