The Sharks qualified for the semifinals in dramatic fashion with a 47-25 victory over the Waikato Chiefs. The South Africans needed to win by at least 18 points if they failed to score a bonus point to surpass the Stormers. But once they dotted down their fourth try through lock Steven Sykes in the 51st minute to earn a bonus point, it was simply a case of making sure they won the game. Victory ensured that the Sharks finished third in the standings on 42 points. They will now play a semifinal against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney next Saturday after the Australians secured second place earlier in the day by beating the Queensland Reds, 18-11, at Suncorp Stadium in Sydney. Waratahs captain Phil Waugh was less than thrilled with his team's form, but was pleased to secure an important win. “Wasn't that pleasing tonight, but we got away with the win,” said Waugh. “We defended well.” The Canterbury Crusaders, who topped the standings, will host the fourth-placed Wellington Hurricanes in an all New Zealand affair in the other semfinal, which takes place on Friday. The struggling Otago Highlanders upset the Canterbury Crusaders 26-14 in the final round. The Highlanders scored three first-half tries then defended superbly to register only their third win of a disappointing season. The Crusaders suffered just their second loss of the year. In Bloemfontein, Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn scored 25 points in a 60-20 thrashing of the Central Cheetahs. Steyn scored a try, slotted a penalty and landed seven conversions and a drop-goal as the Bulls ran in six second half tries against their South African rivals to end the competition on a high. The Bulls, the 2007 champions, endured a difficult season and despite winning their last four matches of the campaign finished 10th in the standings. The Cheetahs, who won only one of their 13 games, avoided the wooden spoon, thanks to securing nine bonus points in a season where they lost six matches by five points or less. In Johannesburg, Western Stormers scored two late tries to score a thrilling 22-13 win over the Golden Lions.
