Winger Francois Hougaard scored a controversial late try to give the defending champion Bulls a 40-35 Super 14 win over the Crusaders on Friday and a home semi-final.

The Crusaders claimed there was a knock-on before Hougaard dived over for his second try in a thriller at Loftus Versfeld, but big-screen replays showed Kiwi prop Owen Franks knocked the ball back.

Springbok five-eighth Morne Steyn converted to raise his match tally to 25 points, which included his first two drop goals of the season, while rival pivot and All Black Dan Carter kicked 15 points for the seven-time champions.

It was a match the Crusaders could have won as their backs and forwards ran at the Bulls from start to finish with the 1800m Highveld altitude having no effect and the tries a masterclass in slick handling and superb support.

But the Bulls have been incredibly resilient at 'fortress' Loftus this season and heads never bowed even when the team was run ragged at times early in the opening half.

The Bulls' won't have Loftus to support them for their May 22 semi-final, instead having to play the match at Soweto due to their regular stadium undergoing preparations for the soccer World Cup.

The Crusaders held an early 10-point lead but saw that wiped out by halftime as the Bulls went into the break leading 24-19.

The victory was especially satisfying for the home team after winger Gerhard van der Heever was yellow carded six minutes from full-time for a spear tackle.

Bulls lock and captain Victor Matfield praised the South African touch judge who cleared the Hougaard try: "Replays proved it was the correct decision and the touch judge made a great call."

He also showered praise on the Richie McCaw-led visitors: "They are a great championship side who caught us out a few times. Crusaders are the best side this competition has seen."

McCaw could not mask his disappointment as this loss followed a 28-point hiding from second-placed Western Stormers in Cape Town last weekend, but boasted that he was "proud of his boys".

"There were two teams out there who wanted to play great rugby, but we did not have much luck. Our running game was deliberate having practiced that style building up to the game."

Victory lifts the two-time champion Bulls to 47 points, nine more than the Stormers who play the Sharks in Durban on Saturday and host the Bulls at Newlands next weekend.

The Crusaders collected two bonus points for scoring four tries and losing by less than eight points and retain fourth place on 36 points, one less than the Hurricanes.

Hougaard (2) and Matfield crossed the tryline for the Bulls and Steyn kicked two conversions, five penalties and two drop goals.

Lock Brad Thorn, halfback Andy Ellis, wing Sean Maitland and hooker Ti'i Paulo were the Crusaders try scorers while Carter kicked three conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

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