Centre Kendrick Lynn says the Highlanders have grown in belief over the past month and are benefiting from the hard work of the coaching staff.
Lynn will line up at centre for the Highlanders tomorrow morning (NZ time) as the side takes on the Stormers at Cape Town in a clash between two unbeaten sides.
Lynn (28) will have his hands full in the midfield, teaming up with Shaun Treeby and marking Springbok internationals Jean De Villiers and Juan De Jongh, but such is the confidence in the team nothing appears insurmountable.
"The guys have got a lot of confidence in the game plan and I think that is showing in the way we are playing," he said yesterday.
"The coaches do a lot of hard work right through the week and that gives us a lot of confidence to play well.
"There are a few guys who are playing some awesome rugby, setting the standard, and the others guys are really picking up on that."
That often maligned term "team culture" was a big part of the success.
"The team culture we have developed is really helping. It is a combination of things really. We were there or thereabouts last year and we maybe lacked a bit of finishing. Sometimes our basic skills let us down.
"But there are new guys who have come in this year and new coaching staff and the guys have plenty of self-belief. The guys know when we have to switch on and really train well and when it is time to have some fun. We do work pretty hard for a lot of time and that is getting results."
Lynn himself has been in fine form, defending well and setting up his outsides.
He will have a new man to pass to this week as coach Jamie Joseph has made one change to his side.
Winger Kade Poki, who scored two tries in the win over the Bulls, has a knee strain and is replaced by James Paterson.
Paterson will play on the right wing while Siale Piutau switches over to the left wing.
Joseph may have been tempted to make some more changes after the taxing and physical 35-28 win over the Bulls, but he has stuck with the bulk of the winning side.
All Black lock Tom Donnelly stays in the reserves as does veteran first five-eighth Tony Brown.
The Highlanders have the bye straight after their next game, against the Crusaders at Carisbrook on March 19, so will be able to rest some tired bodies.
Lynn admitted the side was a bit banged up after the Bulls game but the win had been a tremendous boost.
"It was an unreal feeling to get one over them. But we were reasonably confident going into the game and knew if we stuck to the game plan we would have a chance. But the Stormers are a really strong team and we are not getting carried away.
"They have the best defence in the competition and gave us a bit of a lesson last year."
The Highlanders lost 33-0 in Cape Town last year. Lynn is not wanting a repeat of that but knows getting past the Stormers' defence will not be easy.
The Stormers welcome back Springbok fullback Gio Aplon to fullback but flanker Schalk Burger is still on the injured list. Springbok centre Jaque Fourie is in the reserves, as he comes back from a chest injury.
The Highlanders are looking for their best start to the season since 2000 but it will be a tough ask as the Stormers have plenty of quality. The key will be trying to get past the Stormers tough defence and minimising mistakes.
The Highlanders will not lack for motivation. The team will wear black armbands to honour Mike Saunders, the father of midfield back Matt Saunders, who died suddenly on Tuesday.
Lynn told Radio Sport the death of Mike Saunders had rocked the team and they wanted to put in a special performance for the Saunders family. Matt Saunders has returned to New Zealand and is expected back in Dunedin today.
Steve Walsh will referee the match, instead of Mark Lawrence. Walsh is returning from injury and needs a game before he officiates a test match in the Six Nations.
