Regardless of the outcome, the Super 14 rugby final between the Bulls and the Sharks was already historic with two South African clubs competing in the championship game for the first time.

But the ending in Durban made this match one for the ages on its own merits as Bulls winger Bryan Habana's last-gasp try and Derick Hougaard's conversion sealed a 20-19 victory. And this after the Sharks had pulled away at 19-13 with their second try in the 78th minute.

Knowing that they had to score a converted try to avoid defeat, the Bulls put together some thrilling open-field play, the ball going through several phases and virtually every set of hands before Habana knifed through and flew into the try zone, untouched, in mid-air. Fly-half Hougaard’s conversion was in stark contrast to the one missed by Francois Steyn at the other end of the field after what looked to be the Sharks' game-winning try.

Throughout the match, the Sharks maintained the advantage in back-line play, with relentless tactical kicking from winger Francois Steyn, first-five Butch James and fullback Montgomery and the speed of winger JP Pietersen, who scored a breakaway 50-metre interception try in the first-half.

In addition, the Sharks defence mostly kept the Bulls from mounting sustained attacks, with determined defence of their own try-line whenever their opponents' pack strung together multiple pick-and-gos off breakdowns. But perhaps with the sound of the final hooter echoing in their heads, the Sharks defence could not hold up against the last-gasp barrage of Bulls forays.

The Bulls maintained the advantage up front throughout the match, their first try coming in the 14th minute with an excellent tight pass from captain Victor Matfield to No.8 Pierre Spies, who split the gap on the Sharks defence. That gave the Bulls an early 7-3 lead, but after conceding the lead five minutes later to  Pietersen’s interception, they trailed until the very final play of the game.