Faf de Klerk proved he is human after all in this humdinger of a game. The scrum-half hardly putting a foot wrong when he inspired South Africa to World Cup glory over England. But he will be kicking himself for his wastefulness at The Rec.
He missed not one, but two conversions and a last-gasp penalty that would have earned play-off chasing Sale victory.
Shortly after Danny Cipriani had slotted over a penalty to draw bottom-of-the-table Bath level, de Klerk had the chance to break local hearts with the last kick of the match.
But his seemingly straightforward penalty sailed inches wide in a nerve-jangling end to an exhilarating game.
Sale had taken control early on through Luke James’ try after Bath No 8 Nathan Hughes was sin-binned for a high tackle.
Cipriani, 34, rolled back the years to bring Bath back into the game and they surged into a commanding 21-7 half-time lead after England flanker Sam Underhill powered over for two tries.
Ben Curry was then yellow-carded by Hamish Smales after a series of infringements by the visitors as Bath turned the screw and Cipriani took advantage, expertly teeing up Tom de Glanville to score.
Underhill should have completed his hat-trick after the break but fumbled as the tryline beckoned and Sale made the most of the let-off, their forwards overpowering the hosts.
Sale were suddenly dominant. Jean Luc du Preez powered over to provide momentum before Tom Doughty’s careless throw-in allowed Rohan Janse van Rensburg to race through in the 59th minute.
De Klerk was unable to add points with conversions but it seemed to matter not as hooker Ewan Ashman put his team ahead, driving over and the 30-year-old even kicked the extras.
But Bath hit back and after Ben Spencer won possession deep in Sale territory, Cipriani levelling with a 76th minute penalty before De Klerk miscued and crumpled to the ground with cramp.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who described his side as “leaky and uncharacteristically soft in the first half” said: “Faf’s all right with it. He’s a better kicker then he showed but It’ll be water off a duck’s back for Faf and I know he’ll bounce back.”
His opposite number Bath Stuart Hooper, who said he was “frustrated” with the outcome, singled out Underhill for praise, stating: “He went to his sister’s wedding in Miami and only came back on Thursday. He is probably the best No 7 in the world. He’s ridiculously talented.”
Match details
Bath: De Glanville (Simpson 77), Butt, Joseph (Bailey 56), Clark, Muir (Cokanasiga 60); Cipriani, Spencer (c); Cordwell, du Toit (Doughty 56), Rae (Fia 60), Spencer (de Carpentier 73), Richards, Bayliss, Underhill, Hughes.
Yellow card: Hughes.
Replacements: Vaughan, Casson.
Sale: James; Roebuck, James, Van Rensburg, Reed; Du Preez R. De Klerk; Rodd (McIntyre 67), Ashman (Langdon 50, Ashman 63), Oosthuizen (Jones 55), JL. Du Preez, De Jager, Ross (Wiese 49), Curry, D. Du Preez (JP du Preez 71).
Replacements: Langdon, Warr, Curtis, Metcalf.
Yellow card: B Curry.
Referee: Hamish Smales (RFU).
