The DHL Stormers scored five tries at DHL Stadium, but went down 32-33 in a hard-fought clash with the Vodacom Bulls.
The big derby was typically tense throughout, with the lead changing hands regularly. The DHL Stormers had a late conversion attempt to win it, but the kick went agonisingly wide.
The visitors made a strong start and had the first try when lock Cobus Wiese went over, but the DHL Stormers did not take long to respond as prop Frans Malherbe was put over for a try that put them in front once converted by Jurie Matthee.
The Vodacom Bulls took the lead back with a try from Jan-Hendrik Wessels and a penalty from David Kriel extended that advantage, but the DHL Stormers hit back again as a Matthee penalty and a try from captain Salmaan Moerat saw them get their noses in front again.
The Pretoria side kicked a second penalty on the stroke of half-time to take a slender 18-17 lead into the break and they built on that when centre Harold Vorster scored early in the second half.
Both teams missed shots at goal before Vodacom Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp was shown a yellow card for a cynical infringement.
The DHL Stormers came up with a double-strike as first Evan Roos and then Warrick Gelant crossed for tries to give them the bonus point.
The see-saw battle continued as a penalty from David Kriel saw the Vodacom Bulls take the lead back on the hour mark at 28-27.
The visitors scored again against the run of play, but the drama was not done there as Ben-Jason Dixon scored in the dying stages of the match, only for the conversion attempt to go wide.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Malherbe, Moerat, Roos, Gelant, Dixon
Cons: Matthee 2
Pen: Matthee
For Vodacom Bulls:
Tries: Wiese, Wessels, Vorster, Ludwig
Cons: Kriel 2
Pens: Kriel 3
