Morne Steyn kicked 21 points on Saturday to guide the Bulls to a 36-23 win over the Canterbury Crusaders and into the Super 14 final.

Steyn slotted four drop goals, kicked three conversions and a penalty as the Bulls outscored the defending champion Crusaders by three tries to two after trailing 20-7 late in the first half at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

But a yellow card for Crusaders No.8 Thomas Waldrom in the 35th minute allowed the Bulls to score 13 points against 14 men and lead 27-20 at halftime.

"Morne kicked really well," Bulls captain Victor Matfield said.

"But we showed we are a good team. Everyone says we're a 'kick and hope' outfit, but we showed how we can run from broken play."

Bulls winger Bryan Habana sliced through the midfield to score in the 12th minute for a 7-3 lead. But the Crusaders hit back two minutes later with a converted try to winger Adam Whitelock in the corner after a move down the blindside.

Crusaders fullback Leon MacDonald kicked a penalty in the 21st and then launched an up-and-under toward Bulls winger Akona Ndungane on his tryline. Crusaders flanker Kieran Read challenged for the ball, caught it and tumbled over for the try.

"We felt as if we had momentum when we scored our two tries early on," Crusaders captain Richie McCaw said.

"But those 10 minutes before half-time really turned things around for the Bulls, and in the end we were beaten by a team that was hungry enough."

The Bulls came back when fullback Zane Kirchner drew the cover to send Ndungane over for a try in the 33rd minute. Then came Waldrom's dismissal and Steyn began his drop-kicking spree, kicking two in two minutes to level at 20-20.

Springbok No.8 Pierre Spies scored a long-range try right on half-time after galloping clear from the defenders.

Crusaders scrumhalf Andy Ellis kicked a drop goal in the 51st, but Steyn replied with a penalty in the 65th and then nailed drop goals from 22 meters and 50 metres in the 69th minute and toward the end of the match to send the Bulls into the final.

They play another New Zealand side, Waikato Chiefs, who beat the neighbouring Hurricanes 14-10 in Hamilton on Friday night.

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