Poor discipline again proved costly for the Melbourne Rebels who fell to the Bulls 40-7 in Pretoria in their final round Super Rugby match.
The Rebels have some unwanted baggage - the competition's wooden spoon - to bring home to Melbourne after the disappointing second-half performance at Loftus Versfeld.
Melbourne started strongly and only trailed 12-7 at halftime on the back of some stiff defence and patient attack, which resulted in rookie five-eighth Jack Debreczeni's first Super Rugby try.
But late in the first half the Rebels lost Scott Fuglistaller to a yellow card following repeated team infringements at the breakdown.
Fuglistaller was in his first start as captain following regular skipper Scott Higginbotham's suspension following his third yellow card of the season.
While the flanker was off the field the Bulls scored their first try of the match in the 41st minute, which swung momentum all the home side's way.
They also incurred double the penalties - 16 to eight - with Bulls sharp-shooter Handre Pollard on target with four from four.
He also added three conversions for an 18-point personal tally before being replaced.
In contrast Melbourne's Jack Debreczeni missed three penalty shots in the first half.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan was disappointed with the result, but credited the Bulls for taking their opportunities.
"I thought our first half was fantastic; we attacked and defended really well but probably needed more on the scoreboard to show that at half time," he said.
"In the second half we were dominated through the set piece and gave away field position with some penalties and that coupled with some crucial turnovers took momentum away from us.
"If you give them 90 metres of field position from back-to-back penalties, they will take advantage."
The Bulls ran in four unanswered tries in the second half with lock Paul Willemse collecting a double.
For the Rebels Colby Fainga'a was a standout performer in his 50th Super Rugby appearance, proving a constant menace at the breakdown.
Halfback Luke Burgess and Luke Jones, playing at blindside flanker, also played well.
The match was the last for Rebels stalwarts lock Hugh Pyle, fullback Jason Woodward and winger Alex Rokobaro.
Woodward, who will play with the Hurricanes next year, was denied a final game after succumbing to a back injury.
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