The Sharks knocked the defending champion Bulls out of the Super Rugby competition with a 26-23 win in a thrilling South African derby in the final round of the regular season.

Winger Lwazi Mvovo scored the game-clinching try for the visiting Sharks in the 74th minute at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to steal a place in the six-team playoffs at the expense of the two-time defending champion Bulls.

The Sharks clung on, despite a late score by Bulls scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, to give the Durban-based team their first win in Pretoria since 2008.

The Bulls miss out on Super Rugby's knockout stages for only the second time since 2004, having won the title three times.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP