Springboks five-eighth Morne Steyn kicked 22 points as a dominant first-half forward display led the defending Super Rugby champions the Bulls to a 32-23 win over South African rivals the Sharks on Saturday.

Steyn kicked five penalties, two conversions and a field-goal for the improving Bulls, helping to hold off a second-half fightback from the Sharks in Durban.

With both sides chasing the playoffs, the three-time champion Bulls led 23-6 at halftime following tries by Francois Hougaard and Bakkies Botha - and Steyn's pinpoint goalkicking.

The Sharks replied with second-half scores by Bismarck du Plessis and Adi Jacobs, but Patrick Lambie missed an 83rd minute penalty - the last act of the game - that would have salvaged a bonus point for the home team.

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