A rusty goal-kicking performance by Dan Carter proved costly for the Crusaders as they were beaten 32-30 by the Bulls in Pretoria.

The Crusaders outscored the Bulls three tries to two but the accuracy of Bulls’ first five-eighth Morne Steyn proved decisive as he slotted eight kicks from 10 while Carter hit the mark four times out of seven.

The visitors started the exciting match well with crisp clean-outs and strong forward runs close to the ruck to keep the Bulls on the back foot. They were rewarded with a Kieran Read try in the seventh minute.

The Bulls were forced to defend for much of the first quarter and although Carter missed his first goal attempt, he slotted his second and third shots to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.

Steyn countered with two penalties of his own as the Bulls edged into the game and Carter snapped a drop-goal to make it 6-13. Despite their domination, the boot of Steyn cut the Crusaders’ lead to just 13-9 just before halftime.

The second spell started well for the home side with a Steyn penalty followed immediately by big prop Dean Greyling throwing a dummy to beat Isreal Dagg on his way to scoring their opening try.

Tom Taylor briefly took over the Crusaders’ place kicking duties and narrowed the gap to 19-16 but the Bulls began to find their rhythm and pressure led to two more penalties to Steyn while Carter missed a sitter in 64th minute.

Good Bulls’ midfield defence caused Crusaders to try ineffective chips which gifted the ball back to their hosts and further tired the tourists.

A chip into the Crusaders in-goal by Steyn was pounced on by Wynand Oliver to rock the visitors, making it 32-16 with the conversion.

That would have finished most sides but it brought out the best from the Crusaders. They finished with a late flourish which saw Guildford and replacement Tom Marshall score in the final 10 minutes, while another try to Tom Taylor was controversially disallowed by an apparently incorrect call from a touch judge.