The Bulls beat the Sharks 34-27 in 2006 having led 27-3 at the break, recalls SIMON BORCHARDT.
Loftus was sold out for this Super 14 match as both sides were still in semi-final contention with three rounds of league action remaining.
The Bulls struck early when Gary Botha went over for a try and JP Nel's first try, which was converted by Morné Steyn, gave the Bulls a 12-0 lead.
New Zealander Tony Brown got the Sharks on the board with a penalty, but Bakkies Botha crashed over two minutes later. Steyn kicked the conversion and added a penalty.
Bismarck du Plessis was then yellow-carded, before Bakkies Botha scored his second to give the hosts a 24-point half-time lead.
But the Sharks hit back in the second half with two tries, from Percy Montgomery and Andries Strauss.
Nel got his second, before the Sharks crossed the line again, through Albert van den Berg and AJ Venter. Montgomery converted the latter to reduce the deficit to seven, but the Bulls were able to hang on for a crucial win.
Victor Matfield's men went on to finish fourth on the log, ahead of the Sharks on points difference.
Bulls – Tries: Gary Botha, JP Nel (2), Bakkies Botha (2). Conversions: Morné Steyn (3). Penalty: Steyn.
Sharks – Tries: Percy Montgomery, Andries Strauss, Albert van den Berg, AJ Venter. Conversions: Montgomery (2). Penalty: Tony Brown.
Bulls – 15 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Frikkie Welsh, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Tim Dlulane, 6 Jacques Cronjé, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Danie Thiart, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Wessel Roux.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pierre Spies, 20 Francois van Schouwenburg, 21 Heini Adams, 22 Akona Ndungane.
Sharks – 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Cedric Mkhize, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 AJ Venter, 7 Jacques Botes, 6 Warren Britz, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (c). 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Danie Saayman, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Scott Mathie, 21 Brad Barritt, 22 Brent Russell.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
