Highlanders in control but miss opportunities

Bulls 23 Highlanders 16

The Highlanders' bold trek through South Africa was cut off in the Pretoria yesterday.

"I don't expect my team to win all the games, but we did our best to lose this one," captain Anton Oliver said.

"We had enough opportunities to score two or three more tries but we went one or two phases and spilled the ball.

"The game was under our control and the Bulls' defence was not that great."

After beating the Cheetahs and the Stormers over the last two weekends, the Highlanders were hoping to continue their momentum in the competition.

Instead, they return home this week on a disappointing note to face another South African side, the Sharks, in Dunedin on Saturday with first five-eighth Nick Evans doubtful for the game.

Evans went off with a right shoulder injury in the 56th minute and was replaced by Callum Bruce.

"We made some fundamental errors. The lineout didn't function, but [the Bulls] did have experienced players like Victor Matfield - they put a lot of pressure on us," coach Greg Cooper said.

Livewire flanker Pedrie Wannenburg scored a try on either side of halftime, his first when Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan was in the sinbin for a high tackle.

Wannenburg's tries came from drives following lineouts, which reflected the way the Bulls approached the game.

Evans scored in the 26th minute for the Highlanders, beating three tacklers after a solid scrum.

- NZPA