No 8 Andrew Stead was in dominant form and scored two of the six tries when Southern beat Dunedin 36-17 at Bathgate Park.
Dunedin had its opportunities in the first 30 minutes and led 7-0 when flanker Gareth Evans burst into the Southern 22m and unloaded to wing Ashton Tuck, who scored the try.
Dunedin had other scoring opportunities but turned over ball at crucial times It also missed three penalties.
Southern had better ball retention and was rewarded with points when Stead crashed over after a 5m scrum after 30 minutes.
He added another try 10 minutes later and Southern led 12-7 at the break.
Stead broke the defensive line again early in the second spell and centre Nick Jones scored the first of his two tries.
But Southern led only 17-10 and Dunedin remained in contention.
It turned down two easy penalty goals in an attempt to score tries and had its chance when it camped close to the Southern line.
But turnover ball again proved costly and it broke the spirit of the Dunedin forwards.
Southern capitalised on its opportunities and scored three more tries to lead 36-10. One went to lock Sam Gavigan and Jones scored his second.
Stead was the kingpin with his safe hands. He broke the line again for Gavigan's second try.
Halfback Fraser Lau scored a late consolation try in his 50th premier game for Dunedin when he charged down a kick and dashed 85m.
- Southern 36 (Nick Jones 2, Andrew Stead 2, Sam Gavigan, Sam Gibson tries; Hamish Buick 3 con), Dunedin 17 (Ashton Tuck, Fraser Lau tries; Louis Tili con, pen, Liam Edwards con). Halftime: Southern 12-7. Referee: Todd Pullar.