In the first weekend of the playoffs, Super Rugby fans were treated with fast-paced, entertaining rugby with all four teams giving there all in order to secure a semi-finals spot. But it was the Highlanders and Brumbies who emerged victorious, securing dates with the Waratahs and Hurricanes, respectively.

Read on for a full review of the qualifying finals and watch video highlights of both games.

Highlanders 24-14 Chiefs

The Highlanders have booked themselves a semi-final with the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday evening following a gripping 10-point triumph over the Chiefs in Hamilton. The Brumbies' upset win over the Stormers in Cape Town means it trans-Tasman encounters for both semi-finals; the Highlanders' heading to a venue where they've experienced little success throughout the 20 years of Super Rugby. They will head to Sydney high on confidence however, especially considering the outstanding form of All Blacks No.9 Aaron Smith. The Highlanders scrum-half was named man of the match in Dunedin after he set up two tries for winger Waisake Naholo; Smith taking full advantage of the blindside on both occasions to underline his status as the world's premier No.9. Naholo, too, deserved credit for another powerful performance on the wing; his one-two combination with Smith in the first half as fine a short-side play used at any stage this season. Ben Smith was again a key figure at the back for the Highlanders, particularly on the counter, while the forward pack recovered from a shaky first half at the breakdown to match the more-fancied Chiefs up front. The visitors remained in the contest right up until the final minutes with Brodie Retallick's try midway through the second half closing the gap to just four points. But that would be as close as they would come as the Highlanders rallied, and defended several Chiefs' raids on their own line, to close out a memorable victory.

Stormers 19-39 Brumbies

The Brumbies secured their semi-final place with an emphatic victory over the Stormers in Cape Town, with Joe Tomane producing three amazing tries in an entertaining play-off match. Despite the tiring journey across to South Africa, the Brumbies looked ready and refreshed as they ran out at Newlands and despite heading into the match as underdogs, were ready to run the ball. With no rolling-mauls in sight it was up to the star-studded backline to produce some magic, and Joe Tomane made sure to do just that. Keeping the Stormers fans quiet early in the match, Tomane was over the line in the opening minutes after half-back Nic White sent a short grubber kick through the Stormers defence for Tomane to pounce on. He was over again just minutes later, and just before 25-minutes ticked over, Tomane secured his hat-trick. Despite having less possession to work with throughout the match, the Brumbies dominated almost every asset of the game; with a fit David Pocock dominating the breakdown, the forwards disrupting the Stormers lineout, and the backline carving up the Stormers' defence. The hosts remained in the hunt throughout through the boot of fly-half Demetri Catrakilis, but the absence of Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen was too much as they struggled to create points out of their possession. Some poor discipline and a dangerous off-the-ball tackle from Henry Speight, which resulted in a red cared, will not have impress coach Stephen Larkham. The Brumbies did however round out a fine victory with one last try, a five-pointer they scored with just 13 men on the field.