Facing the top-of-the-table Sharks, the Highlanders fronted up, got into their work and never let up, to record a convincing win over the competition front-runners.
The Highlanders scored four tries to pick up a vital bonus point in a complete team effort.
They weathered some early Sharks pressure and then scored three tries in the first half to take a commanding 24-12 lead at the break.
The Sharks came back into the game and got to within six points before a freakish Malakai Fekitoa try sealed the game for the visitors.
Fekitoa, the rising star of New Zealand rugby, received the ball going backwards and was closer to his own tryline than the opposition.
But he then pushed off a couple of tacklers, swerved and beat four more to run 55m to score an amazing try.
Talk of All Black selection can not be far away for the youngster, whose stock is improving with every outing.
The Highlanders played out the game and came off the field with their first win over the Sharks in Durban since 2005.
But as good as the Highlanders were, the Sharks were awful. They had no respect for the ball, bumbled every try-scoring opportunity that came along and put in kicks which had no purpose or direction.
Every team has one shocking performance in it, and the Sharks have now delivered their worst of the season.
It had looked good for the home side after both teams had traded early penalties. Lively fullback Lwazi Mvovo scored but it was ruled out because of an illegal clean-out at a ruck.
The Highlanders scored their first try when they ran back a poor kick and moved the ball to Shaun Treeby, and he kicked through for winger Richard Buckman to score his first try at this level.
That happened just after the quarter-hour mark, and 10 minutes later halfback Aaron Smith went over after the Highlanders rumbled the ball to the line and Smith darted off a ruck.
The third try of the half was straight off a lineout, where the Highlanders formed a rolling maul and marched up to the tryline for flanker Shane Christie to score.
Christie was subbed shortly afterwards because of a kick in the back but he was ably replaced by John Hardie.
Joe Wheeler was yellow-carded early in the second half as the Highlanders got on the wrong side of referee Jaco Peyper, but they managed to survive with their tryline intact.
Lima Sopoaga banged over a penalty - he did not miss a kick all night and now has an 88% success rate - with 15 minutes to go and then Fekitoa did his heroics.
Though it was a total team effort, No 8 Nasi Manu had a top game, Liam Coltman was busy, Ben Smith was as good as ever and Fekitoa outstanding, while Aaron Smith and Treeby outplayed their opponents.
Super 15
The scores
Highlanders 34
Richard Buckman, Aaron Smith, Shane Christie, Malakai Fekitoa tries; Lima Sopoaga 4 con, 2 pen
Sharks 18
Tim Swiel 6 pen
Halftime: Highlanders 24-12.
