The Bulls will play their second consecutive Super 14 final at home after beating the Crusaders 39-24 in the historic match at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
It was the third consecutive year that the Crusaders were halted by the Bulls in the semifinals.
With vuvuzelas adding to an amazing atmosphere, the Bulls were better than the result. They were in control from the kick-off, and although a slight easing off early in the second half gave the visitors a sniff, the Bulls weren’t letting this one go.
Victor Matfield, in his 100th Super rugby match for the Bulls, was an immense force and set up a number of good rucks.
However, the most influential Bulls player was scrumhalf and man of the match Fourie du Preez.
It was obvious throughout the first half that the Crusaders didn’t like the high kicks. A number of knocks from up-and-unders and the resultant penalties helped to keep the visitors on the defence and the Bulls advancing on the scoreboard.
The first half belonged to the Bulls. The Crusaders had a few good phases after the kick-off, but at the first turnover the Bulls took over with some excellent control at the phase play.
The first try came after just 128 seconds when Fourie du Preez, who was sharp and at his best from the outset, put Spies over from a ruck.
A solid Bulls defence kept the visitors out on the few occasions that the Crusaders threatened, with a single slip-up allowing captain Richie McCaw to go over in a pile to score their only try of the first half.
At 10-7, the scoreboard didn’t tell the true story of a disallowed TMO try, good control from phase ball and some excellent defence.
But those were early moments — and another botch-up from the Crusaders — after a kick that was followed up well by Zane Kirchner, had the fullback on the scoreboard after 15 minutes (17-7).
It looked very good for the Bulls and the lead was increased when the Crusaders transgressed again, with a high kick and ruck infringement giving Steyn another successful penalty (20-7).
Dan Carter won three points back after 23 minutes, but 10 minutes later Morne Steyn slotted a monster penalty from nearly 60m on the angle.
The Bulls kept their structure and went into the break 23-10 ahead.
Steyn missed shortly after the resumption, and then the visitors shocked the home side when they took a quick ruck wide and used the overlap to good effect with Sean Maitland going over on the right hand side of the posts.
Carter converted and the Crusaders were back in the game at 23-17.
The Bulls seemed slightly unfocused, with their tackling unsure as the Crusaders stepped up their running game. But the territory still belonged to the hosts — and they secured the win after the Crusaders scrummed well but left the blind side open for Du Preez to break through, beat the cover from Kieran Read and score in the corner.
Steyn converted, and it was 33-17 and over for the visitors from Christchurch.
Two more Steyn penalties took it to 39-17 with six minutes remaining, and Sam Whitelock scored a consolation try which Carter converted. – Sapa