The Bulls overcame an early second-half fightback by the Lions in their Currie Cup semifinal at their fortress, Loftus Versfeld, on Saturday for a 26-21 win.
The victory earned the Bulls their first home final in the competition since 2009.
Former SA Schools and U19 wing Stravino Jacobs scored a brace of tries for the hosts as they showed patience and capitalised on their point-scoring chances in the first half to build up an 8-0 lead, with Morne Steyn kicking two penalties and Jacobs scoring the only try of the half.
The second half proved to be a tight affair, as the Lions scored two quick-fire tries via Willem Alberts and Wandisile Simelane. But their efforts were cancelled out as the Bulls scored two tries of their own through Jacobs and Johan Grobbelaar, while Steyn added another penalty goal.
Burger Odendaal scored a late try for the Lions, but the Bulls’ ticket for the final was vas by then.