The men from Port Elizabeth shocked the small crowd that turned out for the game as they scored the opening try within the first minute when hooker Michael Willemse crossed the line with only 52 seconds on the clock.
That was followed by an intercept try from outside centre Berton Klaasen four minutes later, Marais converted both tries as they took a 14 point lead after five minutes.
The Kings let themselves down in the twenty or so minutes that followed as poor defence and schoolboy errors crept in that allowed the Bulls to score four unanswered tries.
Bulls flyhalf, Tian Schoeman scored and converted their first try in the eleventh minute to trail 7 - 14. Their second try came off a stolen Kings lineout on their own 22 as they almost ran the length of the field to score their second try to draw level at 14-all at the end of the first quarter.
Marais kicked a penalty to keep the Kings ahead by three a few minutes later, but it was short lived as the Bulls scored another try. The Kings' defence was found wanting as the forwards out wide were no match for the Bulls quicker outside backs. Flank Jannas Kirsten had an easy run in as the Bulls regained the lead, 21 - 17, after another successful conversion from Schoeman.
Marais kept the score board ticking for the visitors with another penalty to trail by one with ten minutes to go to half-time.
The Kings failed to secure the ball from the kick-off as Bulls winger Bjorn Basson went over the line to stretch their lead to 28 - 17 as Schoeman added the extras.
The Kings struck back on half-time when fullback Johan Tromp went over in the corner after he joined the line on the Bulls 22, however, Marais missed the touchline conversion as the Kings trailed by three at the break, 25 - 28.
The Kings scored their bonus point try through speedster Siviwe Syizwapi ten minutes into the second half. Marais was unable to add the extra two, but the Kings regained the lead, 30 - 28.
The Bulls replied with another two quick tries. Schoeman was on target once again as he stretch their lead to 42 - 30.
Replacement hooker Martin Bezuidenhout scored the Kings' fifth try as they came within a converted try to level the game with just over ten minutes to play.
Joshua Stander, however, ended the Kings' hopes for an upset at Loftus as he scored their seventh try, Schoeman continued his flawless kicking as he slotted his seventh conversion.
The Kings will leave Loftus with a lot of "what-if's", as they handed the Bulls a few tries on a silver platter with lapses in concentration and poor defence at times.
Despite losing by fourteen points the Kings will still pick up a bonus point for scoring five tries.
Scorers:
Vodacom Blue Bulls (28) 49 - Tries: Tian Schoeman, Jamba Ulengo (2), Jannes Kirsten, Bjorn Basson, Burger Odendaal, Joshua Stander. Conversions: Schoeman (7).
Eastern Province Kings (25) 35 - Tries: Micheal Willemse, Berton Klaasen, Johan Tromp, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Martin Bezuidenhout. Conversions: Kobus Marais (2). Penalties: Marais (2).
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