The Brumbies have paid an emotional tribute to their fallen mate, Shawn Mackay, with the Canberra Stadium faithful giving him a resounding ovation ahead of the kick-off in Saturday night's Super 14 clash with the Stormers.

The home side won 17-10, a victory they dedicated to Mackay.

The 26-year-old died in a Durban hospital as a result of complications stemming from injuries he sustained when he was hit by a car following the Brumbies' loss to the Sharks in South Africa two weeks ago.

The Brumbies players formed a circle on the ground to join the minute's applause for Mackay, with some wiping tears from their eyes with their jersies.

To honour his memory, the Brumbies players wore jersies with Mackay's name, the years of his life, 1982-2009, and his player number - 118 - embroidered on the chest.

The jersey Mackay wore in the match against the sharks, No.18, has been retired for the rest of the year.

The players wore black armbands, and will do so for the remainder of the season, as a tribute to Mackay.

The Brumbies and Australian flags around Canberra Stadium flew at half mast.

It was an emotional homecoming for the Brumbies, playing their first match in the capital for almost a month.

The side had a horror three-leg tour of South Africa, winning just one match, against the Cheetahs last week.

But the results meant little, with the news of Mackay's death greeting the players when they returned from South Africa on Monday.

"The Brumbies rugby family has lost one of its popular sons," Saturday's match program read.

"His passing is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers remain with his family at this difficult time."

Earlier in the week, injured captain Stephen Hoiles, who had known Mackay since the pair's primary school days, said Saturday night's clash with the Stormers was about honouring the memory of a mate.

On Saturday night they did just that.

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