The Otago Highlanders banked a crucial bonus-point as they ran in five tries in a substantial 39-21 victory over the Western Stormers in Dunedin on Saturday.
After the Stormers scored first, the Highlanders replied with 31 unanswered points to have the game secure before the South Africans found the line again.
Waisake Naholo scored twice and his fellow Fijian wing Patrick Osborne also touched down along with Aaron Smith and Dan Pryor.
Juan de Jongh scored two for the Stormers with one for Michael Rhodes.
It was a disappointing start to a tough Australasian road trip for the Stormers and took the gloss off celebrations for Springbok great Schalk Burger making his 100th Super appearance for the Stormers.
The South Africa franchise, who next face the unbeaten Wellington Hurricanes and then defending champions NSW Waratahs, needed points to get their journey off on the right foot.
They made the best possible start when de Jongh, leading the side in place of the rested Duane Vermeulen, scored first to finish a long Stormers build up.
But as the Stormers dominated the set pieces and operated in the right areas of the field, the breaks went the Highlanders' way.
"We took the most of our opportunities," Highlanders captain Ben Smith said.
"The Fijian brothers out wide did some very good work. The forwards played really well and matched it with the big, physical Stormers pack."
After the Stormers' opening try, the Highlanders struck back with Aaron Smith dotting down against the front of the right-hand upright when his way to the tryline was blocked.
Lima Sopoaga landed the conversion, a penalty and then two more conversions as Naholo ran in two tries in the countdown to half-time.
For his first try, Naholo intercepted a de Jongh pass and ran 60 metres to the line, and for his second he crashed over Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe, who is much shorter and 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) lighter.
Osborne scored the bonus point try early in the second half to put the Highlanders up 31-7 before Rhodes replied for the Stormers.
With the gap down to 17 points and 20 minutes left the opportunity was there for the Stormers to stage a comeback.
But a sustained attack was held up by a determined defence before the Highlanders broke out for Dan Pryor to score their fifth try.
De Jongh replied with his second try but by then the game was well beyond the Stormers and replacement fly-half Marty Banks had the final say for the Highlanders with a penalty on fulltime.
Source: AFP
