Bulls captain Victor Matfield could afford to be magnanimous in his victory speech as he conceded his Sharks opponents had outplayed his own side "for probably 79 minutes today" but it was the crucial ability to concentrate for the entire extended 83 minutes that saw the Bulls take home the 2007 Super 14 spoils with a tense 20-19 win.
On a historic day when South African rugby was guaranteed it's first ever Super Rugby title the two leading South African franchises capped their outstanding seasons with a passionate, physically intense and sometimes scrappy final that ended with a thrilling climax straight from a script writers imagination.
Bulls and Springbok winger Bryan Habana, as he has been all season, was a influential and predatory menace in the final but could be considered to be fortunate not to have been yellow carded as early as second minute.
New Zealand referee Steve Walsh thought hard before electing to issue a stern warning to Habana and a just a penalty after the flyer had clattered into an air born Sharks fullback Percy Montgomery as he fielded an early Bulls bomb.
Montgomery landed hard on his head and appeared a shaken player for the remainder of the match before being eventually substituted with 15 minutes remaining.
The Sharks had the better of the opening stages with extremely committed and physical defence denying the Bulls forwards front foot ball and quick phases.
On seven and a half minutes the ever lively Ruan Pienaar - one of the Shark's best on the night - surprised the Bulls defence by taking a quick tap after powerful work from his forwards had won a turnover and penalty in quick succession. The instinctive scrumhalf slipped between two Bulls forwards and raced 30 metres into the Bulls 22. From the ensuing two rucks the Sharks won another penalty which this time they elected to convert through Montgomery for the first points of the final.
As expected it was willing stuff through out and particularly early as both packs smashed into each other with shuddering force. Bull's flanker Wikus van Heerden was one early casualty, requiring treatment after 10 minutes as blood streamed from his forehead following a head clash with Deon Carstens.
The first try of the game came on twelve minutes and it came from some bold Bulls tactics. Victor Matfield instructed pivot Derick Hougaard kick for touch instead of a penalty from 45metres. Replacement tight forward Derick Kuun took the ball forwards strongly and then two phases later Victor Matfield placed himself at first receiver, took the ball to the line and popped a beautiful short pass for Pierre Spies. The Springbok and Bulls No 8 ran a sharp angle to hit the ball at full speed and bust through two wrong footed Sharks defenders for the try - easily converted by Hougaard for a 7-3 lead.
On 17 minutes Pietersen surrendered an attacking opportunity for this side with back chat but made up for his indiscretion only two minutes later as he pounced on ill considered offload from Pierre Spies. As the Bulls attempted an intricate blindside move from an attacking scrum just inside their half Spies flicked a pass straight to the hovering Pietersen who then demonstrated his searing pace to outrun three Bulls defenders, including his opposite No 14 Akona Ndungane, with ease. Montgomery, however, from a handy angle missed the conversion in the swirly wind and the Sharks lead by only one.
A dangerous Pienaar inspired counterattack saw the Sharks break out of their own 22 and then possession was exchanged before Shark's pivot Butch James opted for a drop goal as Walsh played advantage. He missed but from the ensuing 30 metre penalty Montgomery did not.
The Bulls immediately reeled the Sharks back in to within one point as Hougaard replied with his first penalty and the difference was back to one at 11-10 to the hosts.
Just after the half hour Bulls centre JP Nel surrendered a shot at goal to the Sharks after offside handling following a towering Butch James bomb. Montgomery dollied it over from in front to extend the lead back out to four again.
The first stanza closed with Montgomery narrowly missing a tough 45 metre penalty attempt after a Bulls breakdown infringement and one last concerted attack on the visitor's defence that lasted 11 phases of driving play but came to naught only two metres short of a try.
With the halftime score reading 14-10 both sides were anxious for early points early in the second period. Hougaard missed a snap drop goal in the opening minutes but had another chance at goal on 43 minutes as he lined up a mammoth 52 metre penalty. His impressive attempt landed just short and then Pedrie Wannenburg was narrowly denied a try by desperate cover defence in the corner after an explosive bust from hooker Gary Botha.
Likewise Sharks replacement lock van den Berg almost had his team's second try in the 56th minute after a well judged kick and chase from right wing Francois Steyn wrecked havoc in the Bulls defence. Soon after Butch James made a heroic enveloping try saving tackle at the other end of the field on Bulls second five Wynand Olivier who had seemed certain to score after sustained attacking pressure from the Bulls. The Bulls were, however, able to reap some points return from this period as Hougaard added another three points to his kicking tally.
The Bulls then squandered possession and further point scoring opportunities as the game neared the final ten minutes with first Habana kicking at an inopportune moment and replacement fullback Jaco van der Westhuyzen hooking a 35metre a drop goal attempt wide.
The game appeared to have swung decisively with only four minutes remaining. Sharks lock Johann Muller dragged down a clean lineout 25 metres from the Bulls line and his pack mauled strongly for the line. The attack collapsed to ground but after four phases of driving play the lanky van den Berg barged the ball over the line to take his team to a 19-13 lead. With Montgomery subbed off the field, perhaps still groggy from the Habana offence, the 19-year-old Francois Steyn stepped up to inexplicably miss the soon to be crucial conversion from a handy angle.
With time almost up the Bulls threw caution to the wind and three minutes of helter skelter attack ensued as the visitor desperately sought last gasp salvation. Star winger Bryan Habana featuring prominently in a prolonged attacking movement that switched from side to side as the Bulls refused to accept defeat.
It was Habana who won the Bulls field position with a break down the right flank that was in turn carried on by fellow winger Akona Ndungane who then carved off another 20 metres with a side stepping run down the left flank. The attack then threatened to break down as the gasping Sharks defence looked to have smothered Derick Hougaard in midfield. But the ball was kept alive and heaved long to the far right touchline where Habana received the ball, summed up his options astutely and jinked back infield around a lumbering prop before straightening into a yawning gap that opened like the Red Sea between too exhausted Sharks forwards. The nuggety fleet footed winger pinned his ears back and went for the kill - swan diving spectacularly over the line to score the desperately needed five pointer only 5 metres to the right of the uprights.
Hougaard made no mistake with the simple conversion as Sharks' hearts were simultaneously broken at Kings Park and the Bulls gained their place in Super Rugby immortality.
Sharks 19: Tries; Pietersen, van den Berg. Pens; Montgomery (3).
Bulls 20: Tries; Spies, Habana. Cons; Hougaard (2). Pens: Hougaard (2).
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