Highlanders-Crusaders to play at Rugby Park in big week for city
The Super Rugby preseason showdown at Rugby Park will be played at the same time as the 2025 Burt Munro Challenge is held in Invercargill.
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The Highlanders and Crusaders will square-off in a Waitangi Day Super Rugby preseason fixture at Rugby Park in Invercargill with the city bracing for a massive week in February.
The Super Rugby preseason showdown at Rugby Park will be played at the same time as the 2025 Burt Munro Challenge is held in Invercargill.
The 2025 Super Rugby draw was released last month with the Highlanders set to play all of its home games at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
There was some disappointment amongst Southland rugby fans that Invercargill wasn’t included on the main Super Rugby schedule for a second straight year.
However, the Highlanders have since confirmed they and the Crusaders will clash in Invercargill in their final warm-up fixture.
The 2025 Super Rugby competition will start the following week.
The game will be played on Thursday, February 6 - Waitangi Day - and will kick off at 2.30pm.
The Highlanders’ major sponsor, SBS Bank, has again played a key role in getting the game played in Invercargill.
SBS has an arrangement where the Dunedin-based Super Rugby organisation would bring a game to Invercargill bi-annually.
The last game played at Rugby Park was between the Highlanders and Western Force in 2023.
It was the first Super Rugby game played in Invercargill since 2019.
Additional to bringing the 2025 preseason game to Invercargill, SBS Bank will shout all kids aged 12 and under free entry to the game (with a paying adult).
SBS Bank chief executive Mark McLean said SBS was excited to bring the Waitangi Day match to in Invercargill.
“We know Southlanders look forward to the Super Rugby season and backing our home team, the Highlanders,” McLean said.
“It will be a top week of sport for Invercargill, which will also be hosting the Burt Munro motorcycle racing event that week.”
This annual preseason fixture between the South Island Super Rugby teams alternates between the two regions.
The preseason game has previously been played at “Fred Booth Park” at Waimumu near Gore, in association with the Southern Field Days event.
The Highlanders have won the past two exchanges between the two teams during the 2024 preseason and regular season encounters.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is looking forward to the game in Invercargill.
“Playing a quality side like the Crusaders a week out from the competition is exactly what we need and fantastic that we are playing in Invercargill.
“A few of our players are passionate Stags and hopefully, given it’s a day off, we can get a roaring crowd along to support the team. They love their footy in Southland.”
Highlanders marketing manager Amanda Gould said there would be an opportunity for the Southland fans to interact with the team.
“We always look forward to connecting with our Southern fan base. Their passion for the Highlanders and rugby is well known, and we want to make the most of this preseason opportunity to really get out there and engage with them.
“Our preseason games against the Crusaders, hosted throughout the region, are always well-attended, and with this being our first-ever game on Waitangi Day, we expect a fantastic turnout from the Southland faithful.”
Game Details:
Preseason Match: Highlanders v Crusaders
Date and time: Thursday 6, February, 2.30pm
Location: Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill