Lock Jarrad Hoeata scored a late try as the Highlanders upset the Bulls 16-11 in their Super Rugby match in Dunedin and kept alive their hopes of a playoff spot.
The Highlanders had lost their two previous games and were in danger of losing touch with the New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs and second-placed Crusaders.
The Bulls had taken a 6-3 lead into the halftime break, Morne Steyn kicking two penalties while Mike Delany replying with one for the home side.
The match was played between the 22-metre areas, with the South Africans content to use Steyn's tactical kicking to get them down field.
Delany levelled the score early in the second half with his second penalty as the Highlanders put immense pressure on the Bulls defensive line.
Prop Dean Greyling was subsequently sinbinned in the 56th minute after referee Ian Smith had warned them for constrant infringing.
Hoeata, who had one try disallowed by the television match official, crossed from the ensuing attacking scrum as the home side patiently built phases and committed defenders before the 2011 All Blacks smashed over.
Delany added the conversion and then a penalty shortly afterwards to give the Highlanders a 10-point lead with little over 10 minutes remaining.
The Bulls, however, finally got some field position and used their massive forwards to punch over the advantage line before replacement hooker Willie Wepener crashed over to bring his side to 16-11.
They were not able to grab victory, however, as the desperate Highlanders defence held them out and turned the ball over as the hooter sounded.
