Bulls captain Victor Matfield talks to the media ahead of his side's Super 14 showdown with the Crusaders in Soweto © Getty Images

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Tournaments/Tours: Super 14

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Bulls captain Victor Matfield does not believe the Crusaders will continue with a high-tempo expansive game in the cauldron of their Super 14 semi-final on Saturday.

Matfield, who will earn his 100th Super Rugby cap at the Soweto Stadium, has been named to lead a full-strength side after coach Frans Ludeke recalled 14 frontliners from last weekend's defeat to the Stormers with a second-string lineup.

After being nearly ambushed by the Crusaders in Pretoria in Round 13, when the hosts scraped home 40-35, Matfield was unsure whether the Crusaders could afford to play a similar high-risk style.

"The last time we played they were chasing a bonus point to stay in the semifinal mix, so their approach was understandable. This is a semifinal where bonus points are of no consequence, so we're not paying too much attention to what they are saying in the media," Matfield told keo.co.za. "Semi-finals have usually resembled Test matches quite closely, in that teams are reluctant to take risks in their own territory and prefer to play for field position then pressure the opposition into errors.

"We're covering all our bases, and our philosophy has always been to focus on what we do well. If we prepare thoroughly and play to our potential we believe we can beat anyone."

Matfield said the physical aspect of their game needed improvement from last time against the All Blacks-laden Crusaders. "We have to muscle up in contact, especially on defence. We let them get across the gain line too often at Loftus, and when you allow a side as good as the Crusaders to build up momentum you're always going to struggle."

Matfield will bring up his Super Rugby century at a new venue, Soweto's 40,000-seat Orlando Stadium which was sold out after the hosts were forced to shift from Pretoria due to soccer World Cup preparations.

"People said that our supporters would stay away because of the perceptions they were supposed to have about Orlando, but the Bulls fans have shown their loyalty in packing in. They'll be important in lifting us and making it as intimidating for the Crusaders as possible."

Matfield, scrum-half Fourie du Preez and fly-half Morne Steyn were all recalled after they were rested against the Stormers. Former Springboks No.10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen has replaced wing Gerhard van den Heever. Van den Heever, the Bulls' leading tryscorer with eight tries, was suspended for two weeks for a spear tackle against Canterbury in the penultimate round of the regular season. He will be available for the final if the Bulls qualify.

Jaco Pretorius returns from injury to partner Wynand Olivier at centre. Deon Stegmann will start in the No.6 jersey after being rotated with Derick Kuun throughout the season. Lock Bakkies Botha was not included after he was suspended for four weeks for entering a ruck in a dangerous manner just minutes into Saturday's loss to the Stormers.

The Bulls have played seven-time champions Canterbury in the semi-finals three times in the past four seasons, winning twice at home and losing once in New Zealand.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Gurthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Werner Kruger, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (captain), Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Flip van der Merwe, Derick Kuun, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Stephan Dippenaar, Pedrie Wannenburg