A Ruan Steenkamp hatrick wasn't enough for the Blue Bulls as they went down 35-38 to the Golden Lions at Loftus Versveld on Saturday evening.
The Bulls suffered their second consecutive loss as the Lions moved to the joint-top of the Currie Cup table with 10 points, alongside Western Province and the Sharks who also both recorded bonus point wins.
Flank Ruan Steenkamp went from hero to villain when he was yellow carded soon after completing his hatrick allowing Hacjivah Dayimani to score the first of his two outstanding tries.
The first half saw the neighbours trade blows from as early as the fifth minute when Shaun Reynolds scored for the Lions to open the scoring. Scrumhalf André Warner struck back for the home team almost immediately before Steenkamp crashed over from close range for the lead and for his first try.
The half saw four more tries as the hosts went into the break in front thanks to Steenkamp's second try after the hooter.
The second half was a much more tightly contested affair as the Lions started the half by deciding to kick for goal to narrow the gap which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The Bulls extended their lead with Steenkamp's third but it was while he was off the field when Dayimani made his impact felt.
The Lions number eight went around the outside wing Duncan Matthews and left the rest of the defence for dead.
Five minutes later he struck again. This time, he received a perfectly weighted pass to slice through the middle of the defensive line to hand the Lions the lead for the first time in the half.
It was fitting, then, that it was Dayimani who sealed the match for the visitors. With one minute to go in the match and the Lions defending on their own goal-line, the youngster one a crucial penalty to secure the win for his team.