The Highlanders rose to fifth on the competition ladder after a 39-21 victory over the Stormers on Saturday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
They will have this week off and not play over Easter. Their next match is against the Crusaders in Christchurch on April 11.
''It is time for a breather. There are times when you are going all right you want to keep going but it is time to have a rest,'' Joseph said.
''How do you train a bunch of guys after a game like that when you are not playing for two weeks?''
Kane Hames and Richard Buckman, who have been off the field for some time due to suspension and injury respectively, may play club rugby this weekend, but for most other players it is feet up time for a few days.
They will do so with some satisfaction, after an start to the competition which has brought four wins from six games, all against formidable opposition.
Joseph said he was happy to have claimed the four wins, ''considering who we have played''.
''We have played some good sides. The two games we have lost were disappointing, as we thought we could have won those two games.
''I was stoked with that one [against the Stormers]. The game itself, we really had to work hard up front. I thought we came out on top of that pack. The scrum got better as the game went on.
''Whoever is getting an opportunity in the team is really taking it. Young guys like [James] Lentjes _ gets a chance and was outstanding.
''What I am seeing are guys are believing in a plan and understand what their jobs are. And really, by the time we get to the game night, we just have to execute well. If we do that we'll win. If we don't, we'll finish second.''
Highlanders wingers Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne were outstanding on Saturday night and Joseph said they were showing some fine form.
''Naholo gets better and better. Patrick Osborne is getting better and better. They worked well off the ball. If they get opportunities, there is no doubt they will score tries. But both those guys made their own luck a lot of the time.''
The Highlanders showed some composure to defend well at the start of the game. That soaked up pressure from the Stormers, who eventually ran out of puff.
The visitors badly missed captain and No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who was rested as part of the agreement between South African rugby bosses and franchises.
Highlanders No 8 Nasi Manu left the field with a head knock about halfway through the first half and did not pass the concussion test to return to the field.
Though it is early days in the competition, the Highlanders are fifth and two of the sides above them have played one more game. In a quirk of the competition, the Highlanders will have had their two byes before some sides have even had one.
In other games, the Lions beat the Reds 18-17 in Brisbane, the Chiefs beat the Cheetahs 37-27 in Hamilton, the Waratahs beat the Blues 23-11 in Sydney, the Sharks beat the Force 15-9 in Durban, and the Bulls beat the Crusaders 31-19 in Pretoria.
