KEY POINTS:
They have left behind carcasses of Sharks, Cats, Cheetahs and the Stormers in past African safaris and now the Highlanders are going hunting for the wily Lions.
Tomorrow's game at Ellis Park gives the Highlanders a golden opportunity to start the season with back-to-back wins.
But it also presents a chance to maintain a run of form that has led to them winning four of their last five in South Africa, an enviable record considering the difficulties many teams have on tour.
The heat, the altitude, the frenzied crowds and the crime rate often combine to dull the performances of New Zealand and Australian teams.
But they have hardly bothered the Highlanders in the Greg Cooper era.
"We've learned from issues in the past. You must look past the negative, the difficult off-field stuff," Cooper said from Centurion this week.
"We also don't overtrain, and I think that's significant. Mainly, I think we just have this mentality that we are the only ones who can do anything about our destiny. The crowd's against us, the other team is against us and we're all alone, so only by working together can we succeed."
Perhaps it also has something to do with the Highlanders' style of rugby in the last two seasons.
It is no secret they do not play the most high-octane brand of rugby, that most of the good wins they have had have been through a combination of strong defence and old-fashioned guts.
It is a long time - March 19, 2005 - since the Highlanders scored four tries in a game. It is just not something they do well, and by accepting their limitations, they have managed to win games by not losing them.
Ellis Park is an unforgiving place, even if the team it hosts has been terrible since Laurie Mains finished his successful tenure. The Highlanders will have to close ranks, soak up the physical intensity created by a forward pack of eight man-mountains, and take the points when the opportunity arises.
"The Lions are a totally different team to someone like the Force," Cooper said.
"They're a traditional big South African team who really take the game directly to you. We know what to expect and we are confident we have the tools to deal with it."
Cooper said he was impressed with the reaction of the players after the withdrawal of three key members of the squad with injury.
Josh Blackie is no stranger to South Africa but this is the first time he has led the Highlanders there as captain. With 11 players in the squad making the trip for the first time, there are some wide eyes in the camp.
"The biggest thing is accepting it's a very different place to what you're used to. You know, you can't just go off for a walk somewhere on your own," Blackie said.
"We're fresh and keen, and I think it's a bonus that we've come to Africa early in the season. Every game is important but to leave Johannesburg with a win would be pretty special."
It would that. Don't hold your breath for the most exciting game of the season, but few will complain if the Highlanders again scrape out a victory.
Johannesburg, 6.10am, tomorrow
LIONS
Louis Ludik
Wylie Human
Jaque Fourie
Doppies la Grange
Jaco Pretorius
Louis Strydom
Janno Vermaak
Willem Alberts
Ernst Joubert (c)
Cobus Grobbelaar
Anton van Zyl
Cobus Grobler
Brian Mujati
Willie Wepener
H. van der Merwe
Reserves
Lions: Ethienne Reynecke, Bertus Smit, Gordon Gilfillan, Franco van der Merwe, Ricky Januarie, Earl Rose, Jaco van Schalkwyk
HIGHLANDERS
Craig Clare
Lucky Mulipola
M. Saunders
Jason Kawau
Greg Zampach
Callum Bruce
Jimmy Cowan
Craig Newby
Josh Blackie (c)
Hoani MacDonald
James Ryan
Filipo Levi
Clarke Dermody
Jason Macdonald
Chris King
Reserves
Highlanders: David Hall, Keith Cameron, Ezra Taylor, Alando Soakai, Toby Morland, Charlie Hore, Willie Rickards.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
