They have dealt to the competition's three most recent champions in consecutive weeks, and now the unbeaten Hurricanes come calling.
Stacked with All Blacks, and possessing an explosive backline that appears to have its mind on the job and a forward pack playing well, the Hurricanes have blasted out of the blocks this season.
They are the only team of the 15 in the Super rugby competition yet to be beaten.
So it is another tough day at the office for the Highlanders.
But over the past three weeks they have shown they can mix it with any type of team.
They ground out a win over the Reds and called on sheer tenacity to get a victory over the Chiefs.
Then the Waratahs were taken down by some ruthless rugby at times by the Highlanders and
the defending champions went limping back to Sydney last weekend.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said it would be great to just keep on rolling but unfortunately things did not happen like that.
''Rolling along [from last week] is not that easy. But we have had great preparation this week. The guys are hungry, really keen, and there is a bounce in our step,'' Joseph said.
''It is our biggest challenge to date ... the fact these guys are unbeaten and injury-free and ready to go. We know it is going to be a tough ask for us but having said that, the last few weeks have been the same and so we are looking forward to the challenge.''
The Hurricanes appear to be a different team under new coach Chris Boyd.
They have found some discipline, cut out some of the flashy stuff and converted chances.
They bash the ball up a lot and like to use their big loose forwards to get on the front foot.
But they are, like any sporting team on the planet, beatable.
Joseph, who wants the Highlanders to stop giving away so many penalties and turnovers early in games, noted the effort of Hurricanes second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, who had a disappointing season with the southern franchise two years ago.
''The Hurricanes have changed the way they play. They have added to their squad. Ma'a Nonu is from Wellington and it looks like he is playing for something to play for. That is the first time I have seen that at Super rugby level.
''They look really structured and look really organised. I feel they are a different side and really improved since previous years. They have loads of All Blacks and in-form All Blacks. It is going to be a tough game.''
The Highlanders have made a couple of changes to their forward pack forced by injury.
With John Hardie (ankle) and Shane Christie (hamstring) both out, Dan Pryor makes his starting debut on the openside flank. Gareth Evans is on the bench.
Josh Hohneck will start at tighthead prop with Ross Geldenhuys out with a broken thumb.
Brendon Edmonds starts the game at loosehead prop and Daniel Lienert-Brown is set to make his Highlanders debut after a couple of games for the Crusaders last year.
The Highlanders backline is the same as last week.
