The Bulls made their return to home turf at Securicor Loftus a happy one as they shocked the in-form Crusaders 35-20 on Saturday.

The Crusaders had difficulty kick starting their attacking lines with the Bulls showing more resolve on defence and using opportunities for the first time in this competition.

It wasn't one-way traffic, but it was very apparent which side always had the rub of the green as the Bulls moved up to 11 points with their second victory in this year's competition.

The Bulls intent was shown from the kick-off when a rampant Richard Bands bounced Richie McCaw two metres backwards as early as the second minute.

McCaw had to be stretchered off with suspected concussion, but it signified that this wasn't going to be an easy game for the Crusaders.

The Bulls dominated early proceedings but the visitors had the scoreboard ticking over with two early long range penalties by Daniel Carter, before 20-year-old flyhalf Morne Steyn replied in kind to square it up by the 16th minute.

The Bulls soon clicked into gear, forcing a turnover penalty on the Crusaders 22.

Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez took a quick tap and threw a lob pass to Bryan Habana on the wing, who ran around untouched to score under the posts.

Greg Feek hit back almost immediately for the Crusaders after No.8 Mode Tuiali'I slipped through two tackles from an attacking scrum and offloaded to hooker Tone Kopelani who sent the prop over.

Habana extended the lead some five minutes later as a backline movement from the Bulls saw fullback Johan Roets come into the line and grubber the ball ahead. Habana pushed Vilimoni Delasau off the ball, grabbed the ball and bounced off Leon Macdonald for his second try.

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