The Highlanders picked up a bonus point with a 33-15 win against the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
All Black halfback Aaron Smith scored two tries but centre Rob Thompson and winger Waisake Naholo were the stars.
The game was evenly poised at the break but a try to Luke Whitelock gave the home side a 26-15 lead.
The score stayed that way until Aaron Smith crossed late in the game to secure a bonus point.
The Highlanders led 19-15 at the break after a helter-skelter 40min of rugby.
All Black fullback Ben Smith went close to scoring in the final moments of the half when Tei Walden busted through in the midfield and off-loaded to Smith.
He galloped to wards the posts but was cut down just short and tried to hop over but was penalised for a double movement.
It was so close and sort of summed up a frenetic spell of rugby.
The Highlanders opened the scoring in the third minute when Liam Squire scored after the ball was swung to the right.
Walden made the final pass and had an impressive shift.
The Stormers replied with lock Chris van Zyl crashing over after 12 or 13 phases.
Halfback Dewaldt Duvenage made a brilliant behind the back pass to create the extra space and time the big forward needed.
Speedy Stormer first five-eighth Damian Willemse showed his pace when he grabbed a loose pass and sprinted 80m to score.
But two pieces of brilliance from Naholo got the Highlanders a half time buffer.
He skipped down the sideline and swatted aside multiple tacklers to set up Aaron Smith, then he took a high ball and stayed in support on the inside to score after Thompson got in the clear.
Highlanders 33 (Aaron Smith 2, Liam Squire, Waisake Naholo, Luke Whitelock tries; Lima Sopoaga 4 cons), Stormers 15 (Chris Van Zyl, Damian Willemse tries; SP Marais con, pen). HT: 19-15