Blue Bulls score eight tries to lift semis hopes

The 23-time former champions climbed two places to third after the final-round match and their survival hinges on the outcome of a match in Johannesburg Saturday. 

Golden Lions host defending champions Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park stadium and both teams could make the last four at the expense of Bulls.

Runaway leaders Sharks have already secured first place and a home semi-final while only a catastrophic loss for Western Province can prevent them being among the semi-finalists.

Cape Town-based Province complete their schedule away to Sharks at Kings Park stadium in Durban two hours before the Lions and Cheetahs meet.

Sharks have 47 points, Province and Bulls 32, Cheetahs 31 and Lions 30 while Pumas (27) and Griquas (26) are out of contention.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that a losing team can collect two bonus points -- one for scoring at least four tries and another for losing by less than eight points.

Pumas had to secure a bonus-point victory over Bulls at Loftus Versfeld stadium to have any chance of making the knockout phase, and led twice during the first quarter.

But Bulls' second try from scrum-half Ivan van Zyl on 23 minutes after a break by impressive prop Pierre Schoeman gave the home team a lead that grew steadily.

Bulls were 26-13 ahead by half-time and 32 points in front with 13 minutes remaining before a rally from the Nelspruit-based Pumas brought two tries and a bonus point.

Warrick Gelant, a full-back tipped to be part of the Springboks squad for November Tests in Ireland, France, Italy and Wales, scored a try for Bulls and was voted man of the match.

The final appearance of Pumas flanker Chris Cloete before joining Irish province Munster ended on a low note when he was yellow-carded just before the final hooter sounded.

Former New Zealand coach John Mitchell is in charge of Bulls having moved to Pretoria this year after helping the United States qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.