CAPE TOWN—The Bulls finished top of the Super 14 table with a nailbiting 27-26 victory over the Sharks in an all-South African derby played in Durban on Saturday.
In a tense finale to an absorbing match, the Sharks scored their fourth try in injury time but finished short of the win that would have put the home side into the semi-finals.
Victory for the Bulls meant they climbed two places to head the table after the conclusion of the round-robin stage of the competition.
The result also effectively decided next Saturday's semi-final draw, with the Bulls hosting defending champions Canterbury Crusaders in Pretoria, and the Waikato Chiefs enjoying home advantage in Hamilton against the Wellington Hurricanes, in an all-New Zealand affair.
The Sharks, who began the match in eighth position and needing to win with a bonus point to advance, showed their intent in the opening minutes by not kicking for goal after being awarded a penalty in front of the posts.
The decision backfired when they lost the subsequent five-metre lineout and then had to look on as the Bulls opened the scoring with a try from fullback Zane Kirchner after 15 minutes, converted by flyhalf Morne Steyn.
But the visitors were then hamstrung by the sin-binning of centre JP Nel and flanker Deon Stegmann, which provided the space for the Sharks to score their first try through back-row forward Keegan Daniel.
Steyn extended the lead to 10-5 with a drop goal in first-half injury time but the Sharks responded immediately after the break when winger Odwa Ndungane scored his team's second try in the right-hand corner.
For their third touchdown, lock Steven Sykes finished off a scintillating movement down the right touchline. Prop forward Tendai Mtawarira ran 30 metres before offloading to Ndungane, who put Sykes away.
The Bulls, trailing by nine points, responded with an excellent try of their own after 52 minutes through wing Akona Ndungane -- twin brother of the Sharks' Odwa -- to set up a tense final half-hour.
Steyn regained the lead for the Bulls with his second drop goal on the hour mark, before replacement Danie Rossouw ensured an eight-point cushion with six minutes to play when he stretched over for a converted try from close range.
The Sharks saved their best for last, Ryan Kankowski crashing over in injury time for a converted try, but any hopes of the home team going in search of the winning score were dashed when referee Craig Joubert blew the final whistle, to a collective groan from the 40,000-strong crowd.
Super 14 Results and Standings-Round 14
- Auckland Blues 13 Canterbury Crusaders 15
- Queensland Reds 28 Wellington Hurricanes 37
- Western Force 33 Otago Highlanders 28
- Cheetahs 22 Stormers 28
- Sharks 26 Bulls 27
- Lions 33 NSW Waratahs 38
- Waikato Chiefs 10 ACT Brumbies 7
Standings P W D L F A BPs Pts
1. Bulls 13 10 0 3 338 271 6 462. Waikato Chiefs 13 9 0 4 338 236 9 45
3. Wellington Hurricanes 13 9 0 4 380 279 8 44
4. Canterbury Crusaders 13 8 1 4 231 198 7 41
5. NSW Waratahs 13 9 0 4 241 212 5 41
6. Sharks 13 8 0 5 282 239 6 38
7. ACT Brumbies 13 8 0 5 311 305 6 38
8. Western Force 13 6 1 6 328 275 10 36
9. Auckland Blues 13 5 0 8 339 369 12 32
10. Stormers 13 5 0 8 235 249 7 27
11. Otago Highlanders 13 4 0 9 254 269 10 26
12. Lions 13 4 0 9 294 419 9 25
13. Queensland Reds 13 3 0 10 258 380 7 19
14. Cheetahs 13 2 0 11 213 341 4 12
