The Bulls produced their 18th successive win at home and remained unbeaten for the season at Loftus.

In front of Bafana Bafana who has come to support the Bulls, the home side scored their 18th consecutive victory at Loftus in a match where the Crusaders dominated for long periods but could not deliver the killer blow against a patient Bulls side that delivered its slow poison.

The Crusaders had obviously done their homework and were able to turn around a poor display from the week prior by directing play away from the Bulls strengths at the set-pieces and forward play, and moving the ball wide at every opportunity.

At the set-pieces the Bulls dominated, winning lineout ball off the Crusaders throws, earning numerous penalties at scrum time and using the rolling maul to good effect in the second half.

However when the Crusaders had ball in hand there was an obvious ploy to run the Bulls around the field. Simply moving the ball wide does not necessarily bring results, but the Crusaders used dummy runners and wrap arounds to create the overlaps needed, mind you I felt that they were gifted far too much space in midfield because Wynand Olivier and Jacques-Louis Potgieter failed to shift wide adequately and that allowed the Crusaders to run at full momentum that was hard to stop.

Despite the tries being conceded, the Bulls were able to stay in touch with the long range boot of Morne Steyn, and then Fourie du Preez made one of his most important steals to utilise the talents of Francois Hougaard on the wing as the Bulls scored 2 quick tries that kept them in the game.

With the introduction of Stephan Dippenaar to bolster the defence the Bulls were much better in the second half , and slowly administered their mark on the match and made the Crusaders play the game they wanted. The Crusaders had limited opportunities and it appeared to come down to the goal kickers as the Bulls could not cross the line despite numerous attempts.

In the end it was patience after Morne Steyn’s last attempt drop goal that allowed the Bulls to remain calm and work the space out wide for Francois Hougaard’s match winning try. It allowed the Bulls to remain ubeaten at home for the season and enjoy an enviable record of 18 successive victories at Loftus.

The Crusaders weren’t happy as they felt the ball was knocked on. Despite complaining bitterly to the ref, the try stood as it was knocked back off a Crusaders arm and the right call was made.

The Bulls are now guaranteed of a home semi-final that will be a momentous occasion as we move to Soweto and Orlando stadium for the first time ever in super rugby!

Bulls 40
Tries: Francois Hougaard (2), Victor Matfield
Conversions: Steyn (2)
Penalties: Steyn (5)
Drop Goals: Steyn (2)

Crusaders 35
Tries: Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis, Shaun Maitland, Ti`i Paulo
Conversions: Carter (3)
Penalties: Carter (2)
Drop Goals: Carter

Bulls player rating:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp – 7

A disciplined effort from the strong front ranker. Was working hard and a measure of concentration for the full 80 minutes.

2. Gary Botha – 7

Worked hard in the tight, and solid with his lineout throwing. Missed the odd tackle. Drew in 2 defenders to create space for Matfield’s try.

3. Werner Kruger – 8

Dominated the scrums and also worked extremely hard in the tight exchanges.

4. Danie Rossouw – 6

Not quite the match Danie Rossouw would have wanted for his 100th game. He’ll be remembered for 2 unfortunate high tackles resulting in a yellow card that hurt his side. Redeemed himself with a great offload to set up Victor Matfield for his try.

5. Victor Matfield (c) – 9

Brilliant. Remains calm and captained the side well and was brilliant linking the forwards and backs and providing overall direction around the field. Scored one of the tries of the season, but needs to work on his dive!

Did anyone else notice it was Matfield out wide directing Maku for the crucial matching winning try?

6. Deon Stegmaan – 9

Over shadowed his opponent Richie McCaw making numerous steals, often at crucial times when the Bulls were hard in defence. Discipline was brilliant and had a great all round peformance showing he deserves a Bok call up.

7. Dewald Potgieter – 8

Worked hard around the breakdown but probably needed to hit the ball up over the advantage line more. A tireless defender. Made 2 crucial lineout steals.

8. Pierre Spies – 7

The big Springbok superman has not been his best the last few weeks. His pickup from the base of the scrum and being bundled to touch allowed the Crusaders to cross for a try just when the Bulls were gaining momentum. Worked hard in defence however.

9. Fourie du Preez – 7

Good service from the breakdowns and scrums but didn’t have much quality ball in the first half. Made a crucial steal at the breakdown that led to the Bulls first try. A match defining piece of play?

10. Morne Steyn – 7

Still slightly erratic in his kicking but produced the results when it mattered most. Wasn’t presented with easy opportunities but a flawless record would have given the Bulls greater breathing space. Solid in general play and hs 2 drop goals were great.

11. Francois Hougaard – 10

Man of the match and deservedly so. Took all his opportunities brilliantly and many would have spilled that final ball forward. Not afraid to step inside which most South African wingers are afraid to do and that set up his first try. A great game but I’m still not sure about his haircut!

12. Wynand Olivier – 5

Didn’t control the midfield defence well which was the most porous I’ve seen it in a long time. Also made some crucial runs but lost the ball far too often in contact which killed momentum at crucial times.

13. Jacques-Louis Potgieter – 6

Solid in 1 on 1 defence, but struggled to read the lines needed and shift wider when the Crusaders used decoys to create overlaps out wide. Would have been better at inside centre and Olivier at outside centre.

14. Gerhard van den Heever – 6

Limited opportunities and unfortunately his high tackle cost the Bulls the lead at a crucial stage in the match.

15. Zane Kirchner – 8

Awlays solid in defence and makes his crucial tackles. Also kicked well and contested the ball in the air well as an attacking option.

16. Bandise Maku – 9

Missed a crucial lineout throw that eventually led to the Crusaders earning a penalty at the breakdown and regaining the lead. However he made up for everything with a great run, drawing in 2 defenders to put Francois Hougaard away for the match winning try.

17. Bees Roux – 5

Solid in the set pieces but gave away a crucial penalty as he did not respond to the referees call.

18. Bakkies Botha – 7

Provided a hard edge when he entered the game and got over the gain line well to get the Bulls going forward.

19. Derick Kuun – 7

Had minimal impact in the short run he was given.

20. Jaco van der Westhuysen -

Not on long enough to make a decent rating.

21. Stephan Dippenaar – 8

Shored up the midfield defence and made one critical steal in the tackle which showed great strength.

22. Pedrie Wannenburg – 8

A good ball carrier when needed, just couldn’t quite bust the line when the Bulls were applying pressure.