Malakai Fekitoa scored a fine solo try late in the game to hand the Highlanders a 17-10 victory over South Africa's ailing Bulls in wet and muddy conditions at Loftus Versfeld.
Malakai Fekitoa heads for the try line. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Both sides finished with 14 players in conditions that stifled running rugby as the Highlanders extended their winning run to seven matches, while the Bulls' play-off hopes now look ever more remote.
Fullback Matt Faddes scored the opening try for the visitors, who had to play the final 16 minutes a man down after a red card for wing Waisake Naholo for a reckless tackle with the game evenly poised at 10-10.
The Bulls scored their try through fullback Warrick Gelant, but just as they threatened to seize the initiative, lock RG Snyman also saw red for a shoulder charge in a passage of play that appeared to have ended in a home try before the referee pulled the play back and it was disallowed.
It would prove a pivitol moment in the game as the Highlanders grabbed the winning points four minutes later.
The conditions meant the match was reduced to a tussle between the forwards and it was the Bulls who looked to have the ascendency when Naholo was sent-off.
The wing led with his shoulder into the face of home centre Burger Odendaal and the television match official confirmed a red card.
The Bulls took a grip on the game and camped near the Highlanders line, with prop Pierre Schoeman going over under the posts.
However, Snyman quite clearly cleaned out at a ruck with his shoulder in the build-up and what looked a winning try was rightfully chalked off.
He was made to pay further for his moment of madness when Fekitoa found a gap in the Bulls defensive line and skipped past three players to score.
-Reuters
