The side will also have to do without loose forward Elliot Dixon this week while his namesake, Ash, will not make his comeback against the Stormers on Friday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The side had a 40-15 victory over a spirited Sunwolves side on a clear Saturday night in Invercargill.
The home team played well in patches - scoring five of its six tries through a 20-minute period in the middle of the game.
But there were some concerns about ball handling and giving away penalties.
Highlanders coach Tony Brown said it was always going to be a tough match against a Sunwolves side which showed good line speed and was abrasive in the breakdown.
''The Sunwolves were really willing and threw a lot at us, making it tough for us all night long,'' Brown said.
''We probably did not win the contact enough, spilling ball when we should have held on to it and perhaps conceding the game line a little too much.
''Any time you play against Fumiaki Tanaka the team will have you under pressure. That is the way he plays rugby. Fast and everyone runs off him. He creates so much momentum through the way he plays.''
Brown said getting five competition points was crucial looking ahead. The side was again on the wrong end of referee Jamie Nutbrown's whistle, which did not help the Highlanders' continuity.
Nutbrown also caned the Highlanders against the Blues in the previous match.
''Against the Blues we gave them all the points in the first half and tonight was no different. I think we gave away 15 penalties. If you do that against good teams you are not going to win games of rugby. That has got to be our focus going forward.
''It's just individual guys trying to make individual plays. Not being smart, not connecting with players around them. Just not doing their job, really. We've just got to be smarter.''
After the Stormers match, the Highlanders head overseas to play the Cheetahs and the Bulls before facing the Force in Perth on the way back.
Winger Waisake Naholo played 40 minutes as planned in Invercargill and will get more time against the Stormers.
Elliot Dixon, who picked up an infection in his knee and was in pain on Friday morning, was admitted to Dunedin Hospital. He is unlikely to be available for the Stormers but there is a hope he will get on the plane to South Africa.
Ash Dixon played his first competitive game this year for Kaikorai but Brown said a cautious approach was being taken and the hooker would not front against the Stormers.
In other games over the weekend, the Kings upset the Waratahs 26-24 in Sydney, the Lions beat the Jaguares 24-21 in Johannesburg, the Crusaders smashed the Stormers 57-24 in Christchurch and the Chiefs got past the Force 16-7 in Perth.
In South Africa, the Bulls downed the Cheetahs 20-14 and the Sharks and Rebels slugged out a 9-9 draw.