The Bulls kept their nerve to beat a plucky Crusaders side 39-24 in their Super 14 semi-final, backed by an enthusiastic crowd in the first top-class rugby match played in Soweto.

They will play the Stormers in an all-South African showdown next Saturday, which will again be hosted at the Orlando Stadium in the black township, after they beat the New South Wales Waratahs 25-6 at Newlands in the second semi-final.

The Bulls' brilliant scrum half Fourie du Preez settled any nerves when his superb second-half try, breaking blind behind a retreating scrum, gave them a 33-17 lead with 15 minutes left.

Fly half Morne Steyn was also immaculate with the boot, missing just one of his kicks at goal as he succeeded with three conversions and six penalties.

The tactical kicking of Du Preez, Steyn and full-back Zane Kirchner was a major part of the Bulls success and the Crusaders always looked in danger when the high ball went up.

The Orlando stadium was a sea of blue as over 35,000 watched the holders withstand a spirited effort by the Crusaders.

They had returned to South Africa from New Zealand just a week after leaving following their last round-robin game.

Despite traffic problems causing many fans to arrive after kick-off, the Bulls' support, including that of some locals, and loud blowing of plastic trumpets lifted the South Africans, whose ferocity ensured they were always in front.

The Bulls made the perfect start when they won turnover ball in the third minute, hung on to it through several phases and eighth man Pierre Spies, a massive force on the day, proved impossible to stop as he steamed over the tryline.

Resilience key

The Crusaders' shakiness under the high ball almost saw them concede another try two minutes later but lock Danie Rossouw knocked the ball on in the tackle over the tryline.

However, another dropped up-and-under in the ninth minute led to a penalty by Steyn who made the score 10-0.

The seven-times champions are an adaptable, resilient team, though, and captain Richie McCaw scored a try two minutes later after a three-man rolling maul was poorly defended by the Bulls.

The Crusaders then made a hash of another high ball in the 15th minute, which rebounded into their own 22 with Kirchner dotting down in a scramble for it.

A ferocious run by loose head prop Gurthro Steenkamp drew a shoulder charge by Crusaders tighthead Ben Franks, Steyn kicking the penalty to lift the Bulls into a 20-7 lead.

The Bulls were struggling in the scrums, however, and tight head Werner Kruger was penalised, allowing Dan Carter to kick a penalty and make the score 20-10.

The All Black fly half had an uncertain match with the boot, however, with just a 50 per cent success rate and missed another penalty soon after.

Steyn, on the other hand, kicked a phenomenal penalty six metres inside his own half and 10 metres from the touchline to make the half-time score 23-10.

The Crusaders ensured the start of the second half would be tense when a poor Bulls scrum gave them excellent attacking ball inside the 22, wing Sean Maitland scooting over for the try.

But the Crusaders went off the boil in the final quarter, altitude and all the travelling seemingly catching up with them, and Du Preez seized his chance for the game-breaking moment.

The Bulls' scrum also lifted itself to finish the game on top, earning two easy penalties for Steyn which he converted to finish with 24 points.

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