Springboks wing Bryan Habana helped the Bulls clinch a surprise Super 14 semi-final spot as they crushed fellow South African side the Stormers 43-10 on Saturday.
Needing a minimum 32-point victory margin and a bonus point at the outset to pip the Sharks to fourth spot, the Bulls ran in six tries at Newlands, Habana grabbing a brace.
The Bulls will travel to New Zealand to face champions the Canterbury Crusaders in the semi-finals next Friday, 19 May.
Wellington Hurricanes will host New South Wales in the other semi, after beating the Waratahs 19-14 in Sydney on Saturday to leapfrog them into second place and clinch a home semi-final.
South Africa squad:
Backs: De Wet Barry, Meyer Bosman, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery, Wynand Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Ruan Pienaar, Andre Pretorius, Brent Russell, Andre Snyman, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Forwards: John Smit (captain), Eddie Andrews, Andries Bekker, Brendon Botha, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Schalk Burger, Deon Carstens, Danie Coetzee, Jacques Cronje, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Johan Muller, Danie Rossouw, Lawrence Sephaka, Hanyani Shimange, Juan Smith, Solly Tyibilika, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Pedrie Wannenburg.