The South African team had last weekend off and left to make the long journey from Durban to the South.
The Sharks leave behind plenty of drama, having picking up three red cards in the season already and then suffering a 50-point hiding at the hands of the Crusaders.
That has led to suggestions from Sharks bosses that players should lose money for indiscipline on the field while coach Gary Gold formally apologised for the effort against the Crusaders.
The side may well be relieved to be on the road away from the dramas back home The Sharks have brought a 27-man squad on their four-match tour but some important players will not front.
Springbok and inside back Patrick Lambie did not make the trip as he is suffering from a neck injury and is unlikely to play until the end of next month.
Also not making the trip is experienced loose forward Ryan Kankowski, who has an injured knee and was a late scratching for the trip.
Exciting young lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is on his way back from a knee injury he picked up in March and is unlikely to be spotted until the end of the competition.
Experienced Springbok back Francois Steyn is in New Zealand but will not be available to play against the Highlanders as he is serving out the final week of the suspension he picked up after an ugly tip tackle on Chiefs first five-eighth Aaron Cruden.
Captain and hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been picked in the squad and will be available to take on the Highlanders.
He collected a four-week suspension from the same game against the Chiefs, when he was sent off for foul play.
However, he has served his time on the sideline and will in all likelihood take the field on Friday along with brother Jannie, who also plays in the front row.
The team will miss loose forward Jean Deysel who is suspended after being sent off in the side's heavy loss against the Crusaders.
The Sharks have rather lost their way in the competition of late, and are in 10th position on the ladder.
The team started the season well but has lost its past three games.
It will arrive in Dunedin late tonight and will have a few days in Queenstown after the game on Friday.
The Sharks play the Hurricanes in Wellington on May 9 before heading to Australia to play the Waratahs and the Reds.
