The Highlanders are heading back to Alexandra.
The franchise confirmed yesterday it will hold a pre-season match against the Hurricanes at Molyneux Park on February 19 next year.
The Highlanders played a pre-season game in the town at the start of last year, enjoying a big win over the Waratahs.
The Highlanders did have an agreement to play the Waratahs in pre-season games over the past few years but with border restrictions this is no longer possible.
A crowd of 6000 attended the game against the Waratahs and hopes are high a similar-sized crowd turn out early next year.
Alexandra businesses have got in behind the event.
Alexandra businessman Lindsay Breen said the community was delighted to secure the return of the Highlanders to Molyneux Park.
The game, to be played on a Friday, will kick off at 6pm.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan was also enthusiastic about the fixture and said it was a further opportunity for Alexandra and Central Otago to showcase what it had to offer.
The Highlanders will play the Crusaders in Temuka the week before on February 12, two weeks before the two teams meet in the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Tickets for the game in Alexandra will go on sale in February.
