The Highlanders' hopes of qualifying for the Super Rugby playoffs have taken a massive hit, defeated 34-22 by the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday (NZ time).
The loss means they fall out of the top eight, and they face the prospect of losing further ground on the teams around them, who all have a game in hand over the Dunedin-based franchise.
The Highlanders were dealt a big blow before the match with in-form first-five Josh Ioane ruled out due to injury, giving Marty Banks a rare start in the 10 jersey.
Both teams struggled in the opening exchanges, but it was the Highlanders who struck first through the boot of Banks.
But that was as good as it got for the Highlanders as the Stormers went onto dominate the rest of the first half, leading 17-3 at the break.
Herschel Jantjies scored the opening try for the Stormers, before a penalty to Joshua Stander gave the hosts a 10-3 lead.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Matt Faddes was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Damian De Allende, and the Stormers made the most of their one-man advantage when Siya Kolisi scored.
Needing to score first in the second half the Highlanders came out swinging, and they were rewarded for their efforts when Sio Tomkinson brought them back into the game with a try.
Unfortunately, the Highlanders' joy was short-lived with the Stormers hitting back straight away when Cobus Wiese scored his side's third try.
A penalty goal to replacement first-five Jean-Luc Du Plessis gave the Stormers a 27-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Winger Waisake Naholo - who was playing his first game for the Highlanders in two months - scored his first try of the season when he crashed over from close range in the 67th minute.
Once again, though, the Stormers hit back immediately through Du Plessis to put the game out of reach.
The Highlanders had the last say in the game with Siate Tokolahi eventually bashing his way over the line.
The Highlanders have the bye next week and will have to win their final two games against the Bulls and Waratahs to have any hope of scraping into the Super Rugby playoffs.
As it stands, the Crusaders and Hurricanes are the only New Zealand teams who will make the finals.
Newshub.
