The Chiefs edged closer to a place in the Super Rugby play-offs after securing a 34-20 bonus-point victory over the Bulls.

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The Hamilton franchise found themselves 15-3 down in the opening quarter as early scores from Jan Serfontein and Bjorn Basson put South Africa conference leaders the Bulls into the ascendancy.

But the Chiefs hit back through tries from skipper Liam Messam and Bryce Heem to go into half-time level at 15-15, before a second-half brace of tries from Augustine Pulu and a last-gasp score from Tim Nanai-Williams sealed maximum points for the two-time Super Rugby champions.

Defeat to the Hurricanes last Saturday ended the Chiefs’ hopes of topping the New Zealand conference.

Elsewhere, two tries from Stefan Ungerer helped the Sharks end a six-game losing streak with a 21-14 victory against the Reds.

The scrum-half’s brace and 11 points from the boot of Francois Steyn ensured the South African side earned their first win since March 28 and piled more pressure on the struggling Reds.

The Brisbane-based side did, however, secure a losing bonus point thanks to converted tries from Chris Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi but could not prevent the Sharks from picking up their first victory on tour this season.