Cape Town - The Highlanders have beaten the Brumbies in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash at Rugby Park in Invercargill on Friday.

The Highlanders won 26-20 after leading 15-7 at half-time.

The Highlanders scored three tries through hooker Jason Rutledge (2) and prop and skipper Jamie Mackintosh. Flyhalf Colin Slade kicked a conversion and a penalty while replacement No 10, Tony Brown, was successful with two penalties.

The Brumbies replied with tries by flyhalf Matt Giteau, centre Andrew Smith and replacement scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs. Giteau added a conversion and a penalty.

The Highlanders picked up four points for their victory and moved to second in the New Zealand Conference and fourth in the overall standings.

The Brumbies left with a single point for losing by seven or fewer points, but stayed in third place in the Australian Conference. They moved to ninth overall.

In next weekend's Round 8 action, the Highlanders are at home against the Cheetahs, while the Brumbies welcome the Hurricanes to Canberra.

Teams:

Highlanders:
15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Mo Schwalger, 17 Halani Aulika, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Tony Brown, 22 James Paterson

Brumbies:
15 Matt Toomua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander

Substitutes: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Dan Palmer, 18 Colby Faingaa, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Franky Fainifo