Match Reports

The Crusaders have beaten the Stormers 20-14 in front of a capacity crowd in Cape Town, a victory which must rank with the most courageous in their history.

It was a win against the odds. Already missing All Blacks Ben Franks, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis, the Crusaders also lost four backs in the first half.

Fullback Israel Dagg, halfback Kahn Fotuali'i, wing Sean Maitland and reserve Adam Whitelock went off within the first 35 minutes.

But thanks to two tries to outstanding prop Wyatt Crockett, the Crusaders hung on and won, securing four valauble points and moving to third on the table.

They had to make tackle after tackle but they clung to their lead in the face of a Stormers onslaught in the final minutes.

Tom Marshall, who had an outstanding game after coming on in the first half, was sinbinned in the final minutes for a ruck infringement as the clock clicked past 83 minutes.

Flanker Matt Todd played most of the game on the right wing as the Crusaders lost all of their back reserves early. He was outstanding as usual, as was Crockett.

First-five Matt Berquist missed only one kick at goal - an effort from halfway - as the Crusaders harried their vaunted opposites in front of a crowd of almost 50,000.

Crockett scored his first try after eight minutes. The Crusaders counter-attacked a long Stormers kick and Sonny Bill Williams gave a perfect offload to Sean Maitland who made good ground before passing outside to Kieran Read.

Read passed basketball style to Crockett who did the rest.

The Stormers struck back through Jacque Fourie in a nice set move off a lineout. Danger signs appeared as the Crusaders defence was breached a little too easily but it never happened again, even when the Stormers drove at the line three times in the dying minutes.

The Stormers appeared rattled by the Crusaders' physicality and the backs tried too much behind the advantage line.

They still got through on occasion but the Crusaders' scrambling defence, led by Todd and Read, held true.

George Whitelock put in a game high 22 tackles and Zac Guildford impressed with his tough tackling too.

Williams was always a handful and Robbie Fruean went on a blockbusting run down the right touchline to set up Crockett's second try in the second half.

Crockett carried three or four defenders with him over the line as he crashed over.

Berquist just missed with two attempted drop goals as he tried to increase the Crusaders buffer.

Stormers - Try: Jacque Fourie. Pens: Lionel Cronje 3.

Crusaders - Tries: Wyatt Crockett 2. Cons: Matt Berquist 2. Pens: Berquist 2

HT: Stormers 11-10.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Chris Jack
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. Kahn Fotuali'i (Willi Heinz 31min)
10. Matt Berquist
11. Zac Guildford
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland (Tom Marshall 30)
15. Israel Dagg (Adam Whitelock 4) (Jonathan Poff 35)

Reserves not used:
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Andrew Olorenshaw
19. Joe Wheeler