The Brumbies have beaten the Stormers 17-10 in an emotional Super 14 homecoming following the death of teammate Shawn Mackay earlier this week.

Having honoured the memory of Mackay with a resounding ovation prior to the kick-off and wearing black arm bands as a tribute, as they will do for the rest of the season, it was a match the Brumbies had to win in more ways than one.

They needed the win to stay in touch with the top four, and they needed it for Mackay.

Mackay, 26, died in a Durban hospital on Monday from complications stemming from injuries he suffered when hit by a car in South Africa two weeks ago.

Much of the match was played in heavy rain and the it told in the number of mistakes made by both sides.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend says he was never in any doubt that his side would turn up to play in what proved to be an emotional and successful homecoming.

"I'm very proud of the boys, they showed a lot of character again," Friend said.

"It's been a difficult week, but they were always going to turn up and play tonight."

He said the side now had some momentum which would be crucial if they are to make the semi-finals.

"Winning becomes a habit, as does losing, so if you can keep those wins coming that's a good thing and hopefully it will happen again next week."

The Brumbies went to an early 3-0 lead through a successful penalty kick from Gerrard in the fifth minute and he doubled that tally in the 15th minute, followed by a third in the dying seconds of the first half .

The crowd of 14,500 that braved the cold and damp Canberra weather had to wait 43 minutes for the first try of the match, a brilliant solo effort from Stormers captain and inside centre Jean De Villiers.

De Villiers picked the ball up after a mid-field bomb from the Brumbies was allowed to bounce, but instead of being made to pay for the mistake, he was able to use his pace to find space out wide, before stepping his way past Gerrard at fullback.

Gerrard was on target with the boot, however, kicking his fourth penalty from as many attempts in the ninth minute of the second half and taking the Brumbies to a 12-7 lead.

A try to replacement halfback Patrick Phibbs in the 60th minute gave the Brumbies a 10-point buffer before Stormers No 10 Peter Grant kicked a penalty in the 67th minute to ensure a close finish to the match.

Phibbs said tonight was about celebrating Mackay's life.

"We're very thankful in the time that we had with Macca as a group and individually. The rest of the season is about putting in for Macca because he definitely put in for everyone and lived his life to the fullest."

"Emotionally, it's been a very tough week individually and as a team."

"That one was for Macca."

The Stormers have not travelled well, losing to the Crusaders and then Waratahs in their past two outings, and showed little promise against the Brumbies.

Things got even worse for the South African side when Brian Mujati was stretchered off in the 30th minute.

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