The combined Otago-Southland side faces a daunting eight-hour trip from Invercargill to Perth on Saturday - that is if there are no delays.
The trip back is worse.
The Steel leaves Perth shortly after midnight on Tuesday and arrives in Invercargill late in the afternoon.
Fever coach Jane Searle understands more than most the demands of travelling but has no pity.
Her side is the most geographically-challenged team in the ANZ Championship and makes long and exhausting flights every other week.
It travelled to Dunedin last season and was humbled 58-43 by the Steel.
"It is a big ask," Searle said, when asked about the travel factor.
"We've done a lot of research . . . but, really, you've just got to understand that your body is not going to be at its best after the travel. You just have to try and recuperate as best as you can."
The extensive travel has made away wins rare.
Two substantial home losses in recent weeks had dented the Fever's pride but also strengthened its resolve.
"We've let ourselves down in the last couple [of games] and the girls are still smarting from the losses. They are really keen to do better," she said, adding her side has plenty to work on.
The Fever was thrashed 61-41 by the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Monday and annihilated 74-49 by the Melbourne Vixens in round seven.
It is easy to understand why Searle is in favour of the competition going to a double round next year.
While her team has struggling against the Thunderbirds and Vixens, the Steel has had a much easier road against the Pulse, Tactix and Mystics.
"I think the competition needs to head that way [to a full home-and-away round-robin]. It just makes it a lot more even and gives a true indication of where teams are at."
The ANZ Championship resisted moving to a double round this season.
Perhaps cost will prove prohibitive, but Searle believes it is realistic from a playing point of view.
"In this day and age, if you have a couple of days' break you can play again. As long as a lot of thought goes into planning, then I think it will be a better competition.
"For example, we went to New Zealand, came home for a week and went back. We would have preferred to stay there and play two rounds in a week."
No New Zealand franchise has managed a win on Australian soil yet and, with a four-hour time difference and an eight-hour flight factored in, the Fever should start the game as favourite.
The Steel, though, desperately needs the win to remain in the race for a semifinal spot and Searle is wary of the southerners.
"I wouldn't underestimate the Steel. They are well-entrenched in the top four and have some very good players. Their shooting competitions are working well and the centre court is looking good. So across the board they are looking strong."
The way to beat the Steel, she said, was to look after possession, play with more consistency and stay in the game long enough for the jet lag to set in.
