Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph believes his players deserve plenty of credit for making it to the Super Rugby playoffs, despite limping their way over the line in the past two weeks.
The Highlanders have suffered resounding losses to the Waratahs in Sydney, and the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday night, but still managed to finish sixth on the table and secure their first trip to the finals since 2002.
The Highlanders beat the Sharks 34-18 in South Africa back in April during a successful tour of the republic.
The Sharks and the Highlanders kick of their playoff match at 3.05am Sunday while the Brumbies will host the Chiefs at 9.40pm in the first playoff.
