Bulls v Crusaders: Teams

Bulls centre JP Nel is out after losing his appeal against his four week-ban, while in-form centre Wynand Olivier has been forced to withdraw due to a hip injury.

A SANZAR disciplinary hearing on Monday found Nel guilty of a dangerous tackle on Sharks player Stefan Terblanche in last Saturday's Super 14 match and he was suspended for four-weeks.

Nel appealed against the verdict but the Appeals Committee ruled the original verdict was justified.

Meanwhile, Olivier is out with a hip injury, which he picked up in the opening minutes against the Sharks.

Although it was hoped that he would recover in time, the injury was still bothering him on Friday, forcing his withdrawal from the squad.

With Olivier on the sidelines, former Lions centre Jaco Pretorius will start at inside centre with Marius Delport - who had a good Vodacom Cup campaign after losing his place in the Super 14 side - in at outside centre.

Crusaders news

The Crusaders have made just one change ahead of their Super 14 semi-final trip to face the Bulls.

Todd Blackadder's change comes at lock where the experienced Brad Thorn is named, with Michael Paterson on stand-by should the All Black not make it.

Paterson replaced Thorn in the 15-13 win over the Blues last week after he failed to recover from a hamstring tweak.

Meanwhile, former coach Robbie Deans has backed the 'Saders to avenge the 27-12 defeat inflicted on them by the Bulls at Loftus in 2007 and then to go all the way and lift the Super 14 trophy.

"They've been there once and come up short, and I suspect it won't happen twice," he told NZPA.

"The Crusaders will win and the Hurricanes will win, and then the Crusaders will win (the final) in Wellington.

"They're well equipped because they've shown resilience all year and they thrive in these kind of contests."

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Jaco Pretorius , 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Adam Whitelock, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis/Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn/Michael Paterson, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Michael Paterson/Ross Filipo, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i/Tyson Keats, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Hamish Gard.