Flyhalf Harry Plummer missed a penalty goal attempt from a tough angle as the Blues were held to a nerve-jangling draw by an undermanned Bulls side at Eden Park on Friday.

The result all but ends the Blues' faint hopes of a spot in the playoffs with two rounds left after the weekend.

The Bulls, missing Duane Vermeulen and Handre Pollard, were dragged back into the game by flyhalf Manie Libbok who grabbed their third try with five minutes left and converted it to level the score.

The Bulls kept their playoffs hopes alive as they leapfrogged the Sharks into second place in the South African conference with 34 points, two points behind the leading Jaguares.