They were made to dig deep in the end, but strong defence saw them get home with a 16-11 win.
It was a game played at 100 miles an hour, with the Highlanders constantly looking to keep the ball live and run the Bulls off their feet. They would constantly look to run the ball out from deep in their own half, or throw the extra pass when it was no more than a 50/50.
The logic behind this tactic had its merits. But as it happened, the Bulls didn't tire and were pressing right up until the final whistle.
The second half saw a more structured approach, as they looked to obtain better field position, but still retained the same positive outlook on their game.
It seemed reckless at times, but this was made up for by a strong defence. Never in the first 70 minutes did the Bulls look like scoring, and despite turning ball over close to the line, the Highlanders were able to scramble well enough to hold the Bulls tryless for the majority of the game.
The Bulls' game plan couldn't have been more different, employing a kick and chase strategy for much of the game, being content with waiting for the Highlanders to make mistakes. This is a strategy has become synonymous with South African rugby over the years, with the chief executer Morne Steyn running the show.
The tactic is a good one in a game where penalties are coming regularly and behind a forward pack that has momentum. However, this Bulls pack wasn't dominant, gaining parity of breakdown time but not implementing enough pressure to really make the tactic sure fire to work.
With so many dangerous backs and a pack that is strong at the pick and go, it's a wonder that they don't look to attack more. When they began to run the ball in the last ten minutes, they started looking much better and consequently scored a try.
The defences of both teams were strong. For all the attacking the Highlanders looked to do, only once were they able to cross the line and even this saw the Bulls defend courageously on their own line with 14 men before Jarrad Hoeata eventually crashed over after a good build up.
Neither backline looked like breaking through their opponents, with Hosea Gear and Mike Delany creating a handful of half chances but the Bulls scrambled well and prevented these being finished.
Tim Boys was outstanding in his first start for the franchise in many years, tackling courageously and showing the benefit of having a specialist openside wearing the seven jersey. Others to stand out came in the devastating Nasi Manu and the tireless worker Jarrad Hoeata.
But it was the huge defensive effort of the whole team that won the game. It just shows that the age old saying of ‘defence wins game' is only too true. And particularly at this stage in the season it is winning that is the most important thing.
On attack they were no more than average, often trying to do too much and running too laterally. At the start of the season this can be worrying. But we have gotten to the stage where competition points are the main focus no matter how you can get them. And if that means getting them ugly, then that's what it means.
Next up is the Blues, a very beatable team but also a team that has become something of a bogey team for Dunedin based teams, particularly in Auckland. They can't let this one get away though.
To have a shot at making the top six, at least two more wins will be necessary, and even then it isn't a sure thing. With the Crusaders, Chiefs and Reds the other three teams to come, the Blues are the obvious team to target. Failure to win in Auckland would make the task that much harder.
But if they defend like they did against the Bulls, there's no reason why the Highlanders shouldn't be able to buck the trend and come away from Eden Park with another four points.