Reneilwe Letsholonyane started in the Highlands midfield alongside Mlungisi Mbunjana as Wayde Jooste also returned to the side that got the better of Baroka FC.
A scrappy opening on a wet and murdy surface made for a tentative start, as the visitors took the opposition head on whilst throwing numbers in attack.
Letsholonyane went close to putting the hosts ahead moments later but after picking up a second ball on the edge of the area, the former Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport man fired wide of the bottom corner.
Highlands evidently grabbed the lead on the half-hour mark when Peter Shalulile turned home a loose ball inside the area after confusion at the back.
The Cane Cutters, who went into the break trailing, threw on the first substitution in former Orlando Pirates midfielder Issa Sarr who replaced Menzi Ndwandwe.
Uthongathi put Marlon Heugh to the test minutes in after Francis Baloyi unleashed a shot from range, but the latter had no problems aborting the threat.
Highlands ran the changes off the bench following the 60th minute mark, as Letsholonyane made way for debutant Musa Nyatama while Lindokuhle Mbatha replaced Jooste
However, the Lions of the North doubled their advantage after 67 minutes as Shalulile got on the end of Mbatha's cross to side-foot past Badra Ali Sangare to complete his brace.
Uthongathi looked for a way back afterwards, but Heugh's reflexes palmed Thanduyise Khuboni's header over the top following a cross from the left as Owen da Gama's charges held on for the win and a clean sheet.
Highlands: Heugh, Mokoena, Mbunjana, Fransman, Banda, Jooste, Ramoraka, Mogaila, Shalulile, Letsholonyane, Motsepe.
Subs: Kapini, Mbhele, Mbatha, Mkhabela, Makhaula, Nyatama, Motlafi.
Uthongathi: Badra, Jampies, Slawula, Ngcobo, Shange, Mtolo, Ngema, Mmodi, Magawana, Francis, Ndwandwe.
Subs:More, Zwane, Nomvethe, Khuboni, Mamphumulo, Dube, Sarr.