The history of the Highlanders focuses on the rugby union team in the Super Rugby competitions. The team was originally formed as one of five New Zealand franchises for the Super 12 in 1996. The team encompassed the provinces of North Otago, Otago and Southland. The Highlanders placed eighth in their first year with five wins, but slumped to last in the competition in 1997 with only three wins. They improved to qualify for their first semi-final in 1998, and became the first New Zealand team to defeat all four South African franchises in the process. They were defeated by eventual 1998 Champions the Auckland Blues in their semi-final however. Their best ever finish came in 1999 when they won eight matches, and their semi-final to host the 1999 Super 12 Final at Carisbrook, but lost to South Island rivals Crusaders in the match. They qualified for their third consecutive semi-finals in 2000, and this time played the Crusaders in Christchurch, but lost again.

In 2001 they could not repeat a play-off performance, they did finish fifth and maintain an unbeaten record at Carisbrook for the second season in a row. In 2002 the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy was introduced to be contested with the Blues, and the Highlanders won the trophy with a 20–13 win at Eden Park. They did this on their way to finishing fourth, before again losing to the Crusaders in their semi-final. In 2003 they lost their first match at Carisbrook since the 1999 Super 12 final when the Crusaders defeated them 17–16. Coach Laurie Mains resigned at the end of that season after a dispute with some of the senior players, including Anton Oliver. In 2004, their first season with coach Greg Cooper, they finished ninth despite scoring more tries then in 2003. This was mainly due to their defence as they conceded 12 more tries then in 2003. Despite winning six consecutive games in 2005, they eventually finished eighth due to losing their last three matches.

After the expansion of the Super 12 to the Super 14 with the addition of two teams—one each from Australia and South Africa. In both the 2006 and 2007 seasons the Highlander's finished ninth with 27 competition points when they won six and five matches respectively. Following their 2007 season coach Greg Cooper left the franchise, and was replaced by Glenn Moore. Moore coached the team for three seasons, but achieved only ten wins during that time, and finished no higher than ninth. Jamie Joseph was appointed coach for the 2011 season, and under him finished eighth that season, and ninth the following year.

Origin of name

The name Highlanders was chosen after the early Scottish settlers in the lower South Island. These Scottish settlers were the founders of Dunedin—known as the "Edinburgh of the South", and the city where the Highlanders are based. According to the Highlanders official website: " The name and image of the Highlander conjures up visions of fierce independence, pride in one's roots, loyalty, strength, kinship, honesty, and hard work." The colours of the Highlanders encompasses the provincial colours of North Otago, Otago, and Southland; yellow, blue and maroon. Blue is also the predominant colour of the Flag of Scotland, and is used by many sports teams in that country.

Beginnings: 1996 and 1997 The Highlanders' franchise was created as one of five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the Otago Highlanders, the Highlanders' franchise area encompassed the lower South Island of New Zealand (see Super 14 franchise areas), and was formed from the North Otago, Otago, and Southland provincial rugby unions.McIlraith (2005), pg 322.

The 1996 team was captained by John Leslie and coached by Gordon Hunter.McIlraith (2005), pg 323. Their first-ever Super 12 match was against the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook on 3 March 1996.McIlraith (2005), pg 228. Queensland were one of the competition favourites as they had won the 1994 and 1995 Super 10 championships (amateur predecessor of the Super 12) yet were defeated 57–17.McIlraith (2005), pg 40. They then defeated Transvaal 29–15 at Carisbrook before travelling to South Africa to defeat Western Province 52–25 in Cape Town. After three matches the Highlanders were undefeated and leading the competition. However, the following week at Loftus Versfeld Stadium they were defeated 59–29 by Northern Transvaal.McIlraith (2005), pg 41. They only won two more games that season; against at Carisbrook, and against the Canterbury Crusaders at Lancaster Park. The win over the Crusaders was their only ever win in Christchurch.McIlraith (2005), pg 43. The Highlanders finished the season eighth on the table, and third out of the five New Zealand teams.McIlraith (2005), pg 235.

The 1997 was the least successful season ever for the Highlanders. They finished last, and managed only three wins.McIlraith (2005), pg 243. They spent their pre-season playing in Scotland and England where they won all seven matches. Carl Hoeft said of the pre-season; "Looking back now, it's safe to say it wasn't probably the best way we could have prepared. Even now, people think were crazy when I tell them what we did".McIlraith (2005), pg 60. They were now coached by Glenn Ross and captained by Taine Randell. Their eight defeats that season included a 75–43 defeat by Natal in Durban. The points scored by Natal included 50 points by Gavin Lawless—a competition record.McIlraith (2005), pg 50. Their three victories that season included defeating the Canterbury Crusaders at Carisbrook, and the Waikato Chiefs at Taupo—where Doug Howlett scored three tries for the Highlanders.McIlraith (2005), pg 67.

Playoffs: 1998–2000 Following their last place in the 1997 season, Tony Gilbert was appointed coach. Before the season began the Otago Highlanders were rated 100 to 1 odds of winning the competition in 1998. Their first game was against the Queensland Reds—who had finished in the top four in 1997—who they upset 26–19.McIlraith (2005), pg 77. Although they lost to the ACT Brumbies and then the Auckland Blues in rounds two and three, they then defeated 1997 finalists the Sharks in round four. They eventually became the first New Zealand side to defeat all four South African teams in one season (the Crusaders achieved the same feat one day later).

Their last two matches were in South Africa where they needed to get maximum competition points to qualify for the semii-finals. They defeated both the Stormers then the Bulls to get ten points from the two games. Winger Jeff Wilson scored five tries over the two games to help them achieve this. After defeating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld they needed the Queensland Reds to not get a bonus point win, and not win by 14 points or more in order to stay in the top four. Queensland were defeated by the Brumbies 23–16 and the Highlanders finished fourth—qualifying for the semi-finals.McIlraith (2005), pg 82. They faced defending champions the Auckland Blues at Eden Park. The Blues were leading 20–16 at halftime, and were leading 30–26 before a controversial try to Adrian Cashmore pushed the Blues to a 37–26 lead. Joeli Vidiri had illegally taken out Highlander Stanley off the ball.McIlraith (2005), pg 83. Sharks' coach Ian McIntosh stated that: "Incorrect refereeing decisions cost both semi-finals" and that "The Highlanders conceded a try they shouldn't have".McIlraith (2005), pg 84.

The following season in 1999 the Highlanders superseded their 1997 season by hosting the tournament final. Otago had won the 1998 National Provincial Championship and the Highlanders carried that success on into the Super 12. They opened their season with a 19–13 victory over the Auckland Blues at Carisbrook.McIlraith (2005), pg 253. This was followed by a victory over the Northern Bulls in Invercargill, and then a 46–14 victory over the Stormers at Carisbrook. They then travelled to South Africa where they defeated the Cats before losing their first loss of the season to the Sharks in Durban.McIlraith (2005), pg 255. They returned to New Zealand to defeat the Waikato Chiefs and then the Crusaders.McIlraith (2005), pg 256. After defeating the Reds, the Highlanders lost to the New South Wales Waratahs at Carisbrook. The next week they defeated the Brumbies at the same venue.

Next they had their bye round, before facing the Wellington Hurricanes at Athletic Park.McIlraith (2005), pg 260. Despite leading 14–3 at half time, the Highlanders lost when Hurricanes' half-back Jason Spice scored in the corner to give the Hurricanes a 21–19 victory.McIlraith (2005), pg 101. Had the Highlanders won they would have finished top of the table and hosted a semi-final at Carisbrook. Instead they then had to travel from Wellington to South Africa to play the Stormers. After trailing 11–0, the Highlanders finished the first half ahead 22–18. They scored a further 11 points in the second half to win 33–18.McIlraith (2005), pg 104. The Highlanders travelled back to Dunedin and the match was moved to the Sunday to allow an extra for recovery. The 1999 Super 12 Final was against South Island rivals the Canterbury Crusaders, and was billed as "the party at Tony Brown's house" after Highlanders first five-eighth Tony Brown. The match in front of a sellout 41,500 person crowd the Highlanders scored first, and led 14–9 at half time. However, the decisive try was to Crusaders' wing Afato So'oalo when he chipped the ball, then out-sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score.Gifford (2004), pg 175.McIlraith (2005), pg 106. Although the Highlanders' scored a try to Isitolo Maka with three minutes remaining the Crusaders won 24–19.

For the 2000 season Peter Sloane became coach after Tony Gilbert was appointed as the All Blacks' forwards coach.McIlraith (2005), pg 111. They opened their season with a 50–13 victory over Queensland Reds at Carisbrook;McIlraith (2005), pg 261. the second time the Reds had conceded 50 points to the Highlanders.McIlraith (2005), pg 117. They won their next three matches, against the Sharks, Hurricanes and Cats. However, the then lost their following three; against the Crusaders, Brumbies, and Blues.McIlraith (2005), pg 121. At the end of the regular season they had won six of their eleven games, and finished third due to a superior points difference to the fourth placed Cats.McIlraith (2005), pg 268.The Cats and Highlanders both finished the season with 32 competition points, but the Highlanders had a points difference of +2 and the Cats -2. They played the Crusaders at Jade Stadium in their semi-final, and were defeated 37–15 after Marika Vunibaka scored two tries in the last 20 minutes.McIlraith (2005), pg 124.

Mixed success: 2001–2005

The Highlanders again opened their season with a victory at Carisbrook; this time a 23–8 victory over the Blues.McIlraith (2005), pg 269. After losing to the Cats in Johannesburg and the Sharks in Durban, they returned to Carisbrook with a one-point victory over the Stormers. Their 39–20 defeat of the Waratahs at Carisbrook on 7 April was the first defeat of New South Wales by an Otago-based side since the Otago provincial team defeated New South Wales 5–0 in 1901.McIlraith (2005), pg 144.Prior to the Super 12 in 1996, Otago had played New South Wales in 1925, 1991 and twice in 1995. They narrowly lost to the Hurricanes in Napier 35–33 before defeating the Brumbies at Carisbrook on 20 April. After a loss to Queensland they finished their season with a 26–21 defeat of the defending champion Crusaders at Carisbrook.McIlraith (2005), pg 276. Although the Highlanders went undefeated at home for a second consecutive season, the Highlanders finished fifth with six wins that season.