The Brumbies Super 14 coach Andy Friend praised his front row after they outmuscled a Springbok trio to set up a 24-22 win over the Sharks in Canberra.
The Sharks remain winless this season, having lost nine out of their past ten Super 14 matches, while the Brumbies have now notched three wins in a row.
The home side scored two tries to one in a match that started out scrappy as both sides traded early penalty goals.
The Sharks went to the break with a 16-13 lead and stayed in touch in the second half thanks to a faultless kicking performance from first five Andy Goode.
He scored 17 points after kicking six from six to keep his side in touch before Brumbies playmaker Matt Giteau kicked what would prove to be a winning penalty goal ten minutes from full time.
Brumbies outside centre Stirling Mortlock, replaced at the end of the first half by Tyrone Smith, will have scans today after injuring his shoulder.
