As it happened: Crusaders v Stormers

Send your comments/pictures on the match to MySport@sport24.co.za or 'LIKE' us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

Follow on@herman_mostert or send suggestions to: herman.mostert@sa.24.com

10:55 - PICTURE

Kieron Fonotia scores on debut... - (Getty Images)

10:41 - PICTURE

Schalk Burger is back! - (Getty Images)

10:27 - SUMMARY

The Stormers can take heart from this performance. Their defence was immense and they stood up physically. Their scrum got better as the match wore on, but lineouts crucially proved their undoing. The Crusaders' second penalty was preceded by the Stormers messing up another lineout which swung the game. At that stage they were leading 13-3 with 19 minutes left. But it goes to show, if you lack composure when it really matters at the tail end of big games, then you'll end up short time and time again - a lesson yet to be learnt by the Cape side.

However, a few players can hold their heads high after this performance - Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers and Damian de Allende in particular...

It doesn't get any easier for the Stormers who next week tackle two-time defending champions, the Chiefs, in Hamilton, while the Crusaders clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.

Be sure to join us for more interactive commentary during this year's Super Rugby competition!

10:26 - TWEET

What heartbreak for @THESTORMERS. Saders win 14-13 ... one of the season's injustices - Mark Keohane

10:22 - FULL-TIME: Crusaders 14-13 Stormers

So close, but yet so far...

But is has to be mentioned that, yet again, a lack of composure when it really mattered cost the Stormers.

10:22 - The hosts win the lineout and play breaks down... That's it, game over...

10:21 - A Crusaders player is tripped and they win a penalty to set up one final lineout....

10:20 - But the Stormers get it back only for Duane Vermeulen to knock the ball on in a massive tackle...

10:19 - Carr breaks the Crusaders line and is stopped just short but the 'Saders win a turnover...

10:18 - The Stormers set up an attacking driving maul following a lineout.. They're up to the 22m area...

10:17 - Nizaam Carr has replaced Schalk Burger for the Stormers.

Louis Schreduer also on for Nic Groom.

10:16 - PENALTY kicked by Taylor. Crusaders 14-13 Stormers after 75 minutes.

10:15 - And they get a penalty when Michael Rhodes goes off-side. Taylor will line up from about 30m out, slightly to the right of the uprights...

10:14 - Crusaders back on the attack, close to the Stormers 22... 

10:13 - NEW PROPS FOR STORMERS

Oliver Kebble and Pat Cilliers on for Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe.

10:12 - The Stormers are again guilty of trying to defend a lead. They will lose unless they try to score more points!

10:12 - Peter Grant has now replaced Demetri Catrakilis. Too many mistakes by The Greek...

10:11 - Taylor misses a tough conversion. Crusaders 11-13 Stormers after 70 minutes.

10:10 - TRY! Replacement centre Kieron Fonotia scores on debut, rounding off after a concerted period of attack. 

10:10 - They surge close to the line...

10:08 - This time the Stormers front row goes down and the 'Saders will get an attacking lineout just outside the Stormers 22m area...

10:07 - Jean de Villiers is upset with the Crusaders players holding the Stormers back in general play...

10:04 - PICTURE

Israel Dagg anticipates a massive hit... (Getty Images)

10:02 - After his brilliant break Heinz limps off and is replaced by Andy Ellis who comes on for his 110th Super Rugby appearance...

10:01 - PENALTY converted from right in front by Tom Taylor. Crusaders 6-13 Stormers after 62 minutes.

10:00 - A brilliant break from 'Saders scrumhalf Willi Heinz puts them right on the Stormers tryline. Stormers concede a penalty... This time the hosts will line up for posts.

The move was started after Liebenberg missed his lineout jumpers. Stormers lineout very poor today!

9:57 - The Stormers scrum is now dominating. Remarkable improvement since the early part of the match!

9:56 - Super Rugby debutant Kieron Fonotia on for outside centre Reynold Lee-Lo.

9:56 - DC's error-rate is unsustainable - Zelim Nel

9:54 - Catrakilis makes another error by kicking it over the dead-ball line as play moves all the way back inside the Stormers half. Time to get Peter Grant on!

9:51 - CONVERSION by Catrakilis. Crusaders 3-13 Stormers after 52 minutes.

9:53 - Tiaan Liebenberg is now on for Scarra Ntubeni.

9:50 - TRY! What an unbelievable try from the Stormers.

Schalk Burger throws a brilliant inside pass to Jean de Villiers just before the halfway line, with the skipper sprinting clear before putting a kick through for a chasing Damian de Allande, who gathers and scores right next to the posts!

Great vision from Jean and Skalla!

9:48 - Stormers now playing the game in the right side of the field...

9:44 - But Catrakilis kicks the PENALTY from in front and the Stormers lead!

Crusaders 3-6 Stormers after 46 minutes.

9:43 - Taute is down with a sore shoulder and is replaced by Sailosi Tagicakibau.

Taute was dumb there. Had he passed the Stormers would have scored. Now he's off injured...

9:42 - Stormers almost score in the corner but Jaco Taute opts not to pass to his right to Kobus van Wyk. Should have passed! But the referee goes back for a Stormers penalty...

9:41 - Good first scrum of the second half for the visitors... Their scrum has markedly improved as the game wore on...

9:38 - Crusaders get an early attacking chance in the Stormers 22 but Deon Fourie wins a penalty at the breakdown to bring relief for the Stormers...

9:37 - Tom Taylor kicks off...

9:36 - Welcome back for the second half.

I reckon Tiaan Liebenberg and Peter Grant could be valuable substitutes for the visiting side...

9:31 - PICTURE

Kieran Read cuts a frustrated figure...(Getty Images)

9:29 - TACKLES MADE

Stormers 65

Crusaders 43

9:26 - HALF-TIME: Crusaders 3-3 Stormers

The Stormers defence is keeping them in the game. That last kick from the Crusaders showed how desperate they are. They seem to have run out of ideas on how to break through a blue wall!

This game is up for the taking if the Stormers can take their chances in the second period.

9:25 - A chip-kick through by Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty almost sees him score but Nic Groom gets there first to dot down dead to end the half...

9:23 - Brain fart from Demetri Catrakilis who again kicks it out directly, forgetting the ball was passed back into his 22m area...

This gives the hosts one last attacking chance in the half. Stupid stuff from the Stormers 10!

9:22 - The chance goes begging as the Stormers are caught holding on at the breakdown... Scrumhalf Willi Heinz doing the work of a loose forward there!

9:21 - Stormers back into 'Saders territory now and get a great attacking chance when the hosts knock on at a lineout just outside their own 22m area...

9:19 - TWEET

I reckon that was a try ... Not a pretty one ... But TMO disagrees ... Instead 3 points for Storm ... 3-3 - Front Row Grunt

9:17 - PENALTY converted by Catrakilis. Crusaders 3-3 Stormers after 35 minutes.

9:17 - But the referee goes back for a Stormers penalty in front...

9:16 - This is a very tight call... TMO says he cannot see a grounding.

Perhaps a good call. No conclusive evidence.

9:15 - Try time? It looks like the Stormers have scored. Jean de Villiers grounded the ball against the base of the posts... TMO called into action.

9:14 - Stormers finally win a lineout and launch an attack on the 'Saders line...

9:12 - PICTURE

 Richie McCaw of the Crusaders shows his broken thumb next to the field... (Getty Images)

9:10 - The Stormers get a rare opportunity in Crusaders territory but Scarra Ntubeni - AGAIN - throws in skew at the lineout. This is becoming a bit of a worry for them... Expect Tiaan Liebenberg to make his appearance later.

9:08 - Resilient defence is keeping the Stormers in this game. But lets hope for some attacking intent as well... They seem to be player better without the ball.

9:08 - DID YOU KNOW?

The Crusaders have won 12 out of the last 14 games between these two teams.

9:07 - TWEET

Just the most unbelievable defence from Stormers ... And good to see the holding from franks penalised ... Schalk a bit lucky though - Front Row Grunt

9:04 - And Franks is penalised, not Burger.

Not often you see the one who retaliates get away with it! But a fair call, as there was no punching from Burger.

9:02 - But the TMO is called into play for potential foul play against Burger...

Owen Franks held onto Burger with the latter swinging his arms to get free!

9:02 - The Stormers defence remains solid as a rock here.

8:59 - Stormers concede another penalty at scrum time. Yellow card territory now?

This time the hosts opt for a lineout...

8:58 - PICTURE

Schalk Burger and Owen Franks - FOX SPORTS Rugby

8:58 - Good defence by the Stormers keeping the 'Saders at bay... for now...

8:56 - However, after all that helter-skelter, the Crusaders have a penalty in kickable range! But they don't take it and opt for a scrum...

8:55 - Only great scramble defence from the Stormers keeps them out. Read throws a try away when he decides not to pass it out wide. A great tackle on him from Deon Fourie saves the day!

8:54 - The Stormers lose the ball when Burger WILDLY throws a pass in-field... the Crusaders kick up-field and almost score.

8:52 - Stormers string a few phases together and move into the 'Saders 22m area...

8:49 - More errors from Stormers... this time hooker Scarra Ntubeni throws in skew at the lineout... sigh

De Kock Steenkamp clearly not happy with him...

8:49 - Just as I praise Franks he is penalised at the next scrum for illegal binding!

8:48 - TWEET

Woah ... Franks eats Kitshoff ... Despite those unsavoury ear plasters! - Front Row Grunt

8:46 - Stormers scrum demolished! Another attacking opportunity gone begging... Owen Franks is a colossus there. 

8:45 - Catrakilis fails to kick out after the Stormers win a penalty on half-way. Error-prone early on these Stormers...

8:44 - TWEET

That first bit of turnover attack for the stormers sums up their attacking ability as a whole... - Alan Zondagh

8:42 - One-up for Owen Franks on Steven Kitshoff as the latter is penalised at the first scrum...

8:42 - Just lateral passing down the line. No-one running straight and at pace! Poor intent on attack.

8:41 - The Stormers get the ball from the kick-off but inaccurate passing down the line sees the move go awry...

8:40 - PENALTY converted by flyhalf Tom Taylor. Crusaders 3-0 Stormers after 4 minutes.

8:39 - Stormers penalised on their own 22m line for not rolling away. Schalk Burger the culprit. Easy three points coming up...

8:38 - First mistake from Catrakilis as he also kicks the ball out directly...

8:37 - They start with an attacking lineout maul... but it loses momentum and as soon as the ball goes wide the Stormers are penalised at ruck time...

8:36 - Early mistake by the home side as they kick it out directly. Attacking lineout for the Stormers...

8:36 - Demetri Catrakilis gets the game underway...

8:35 - A huge raw as Kieran Read leads out the home side...

8:34 - Jean de Villiers leads out the Stormers. Here and there a few blue flags can be spotted...

8:30 - FULL HOUSE!

It's a packed crowd at AMI Stadium!

The good news is that there's no rain... after the torrential downpour in the city earlier this week.

It's partly cloudy, but not a strong wind. 13 Degrees Celsius at present.

8:25 - In-studio SuperSport pundit, John Mitchell, has made a bold prediction by tipping the Stormers for a narrow victory! He feels the Crusaders have chopped and changed too much in their line-up...

8:19 -  South African teams have a torrid record against the Crusaders in New Zealand. Out of the 44 matches hosted by the Crusaders against teams from South Africa, they've lost only twice and drawn twice - a winning percentage of 91%!

8:08 - No doubt the Stormers are up against it today. The Crusaders will be hungry to grab a first victory in this year's campaign after an indifferent start. The Stormers themselves have started below par and were perhaps lucky to beat the Hurricanes at Newlands last week.

The only time the men from the Cape did not lose a game in Christchurch was way back in 1996 when Western Province claimed a 16-16 draw. And the last time a South African team beat the Crusaders over there was in 2001 when the Cats won in Nelson - a ground the Crusaders sometimes played at in the past.

So I'm clutching at straws to look at positives but the best the Stormers can do is try play to what has brought them success in the last few years. Solid set pieces, top-notch defence and dominating their opponents physically...

But it will be an almighty task!

CHALLENGE THE SPORT24 'EXPERTS'

If you haven't already joined the Sport24 SuperBru Super Rugby challenge, do so NOW!

OFFICIALS

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)

Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

TMO: Chris Watt (New Zealand)

RECENT RESULTS

TEAMS:

Crusaders:

15 Colin Slade, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes:16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Kieron Fonotia

Stormers:

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Stormers in Christchurch!