The Highlanders beat the Sharks 25-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, coming back from a 15-7 deficit at halftime to win, and end a losing streak which had reached 11 games.
The elation in the side was for all to see as the final whistle went, mainly for a gutsy last five minutes where the Sharks laid siege to the Highlanders' tryline but could not get across.
The Highlanders put their bodies on the line and refused to buckle, even when they went down to 14 men after veteran lock Brad Thorn was yellow-carded.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hosea Gear made a great spot tackle, the Sharks were offside and the game was won.
Emotions poured out, from both crowd and players. Fair enough, too. The Highlanders last won a game on May 26 last year - 343 days, a long time between drinks.
First five-eighth Colin Slade said the Highlanders were thrilled with the victory.
''We're bloody excited, to tell you the truth. There is a real buzz in that room. We have talked about it a lot,'' he said.
''At the end there, I think that showed to everyone how much we wanted it. It is not a case of not wanting to win and not trying hard enough. Little things were letting us down. Tonight we may have not played the best but what we did, we did with heart and soul.''
Slade had a roller coaster game, hitting the post twice with penalties in the first half, when he missed three shots at goal.
But he came back well in the second half, scoring a try and performing well in general play.
''The important thing is you have to separate your goal kicking and your general play. You can't let one affect the other. Personally, I am happy I could do that. But I'm just happy I could help the team.
''I do not get too many tries so I was glad to get over. The old legs were hurting a bit to get there. But if someone like [prop] Chris King can get there in support play, then so can I.''
Slade, who was making his first start for nearly a month, said the side just wanted to get back to the basics.
''We sort of talked about relaxing a little bit and just getting out there and playing rugby, which most of us have done all of our lives. That was a breath of fresh air and I think that was reflected in the way we played. The guys just relied on what they know best and play on instinct.''
Slade's try was one of the best of the season, coming after the two Smiths - Aaron and Ben - combined to split the Sharks defence.
With Slade's score, the Highlanders went out to a 25-15 lead with 25 minutes to go but the Sharks would not go away, and Meyer Bosman scored his second try.
Best for the Highlanders were the two Smiths, comeback midfielders Shaun Treeby and Tamati Ellison, No 8 TJ Ioane and prop Tony Woodcock.
Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit was given an off-field yellow card after the game for a choke hold on Highlanders flanker Jarrad Hoeata in a maul early in the second half.
Super 15
The scores
Highlanders 25
Shaun Treeby, Aaron Smith, Colin Slade tries; Slade 2 con, 2 pen
Sharks 22
Meyer Bosman 2, Lwazi Mvovo tries; Pat Lambie 2 con, pen
Halftime: Sharks 15-7.
Crowd: 11,008.