The Crusaders' run of seven consecutive Super Rugby Pacific titles has likely come to an end in Dunedin, going down 32-29 to the Highlanders.
The Crusaders have only two wins after 12 rounds and now have little chance of reaching the playoffs.
The Highlanders led 26-14 at halftime on Saturday and held on to post their fifth win of the season, and first win in three years over a New Zealand opponent.
The hosts opened the scoring through a runaway Tanielu Tele'a in the sixth minute.
A yellow card to Folau Fakatava soon after opened the door for the Crusaders to hit back, and they did so with tries to Sevu Reece and Dallas McLeod.
A five-pointer to Cam Millar put the Highlanders back in front and he added two penalties to push the halftime lead out to 12 points.
He finished with a personal haul of 27 points.
The visitors hit back with Reece scoring a second soon after the break, but two late Millar penalties extended the lead again.
A try to Crusaders winger Macca Springer after the fulltime siren cut the Highlanders' winning margin to just three.
