The Crusaders picked up their third victory in the 2009 Super 14 as they beat the Stormers by 11 points to 7 in a match that gave the fans little to cheer about.
For the Crusaders it was winning rugby but for the fans it was probably a match to miss.
The Crusaders landed a penalty for the only points of a dismal second half to clinch the win.
Each side scored a first-half try but the Crusaders took an 8-7 lead to halftime in a match against a team with best defensive record in this year's tournament.
There was no addition to the score through 37 minutes of the second half before a penalty to flyhalf Stephen Brett gave the Crusaders their eventual winning margin.
"The Stormers were coming off a bye so they've had a long time to work up for this one," Crusaders captain Kieran Read said.
"They came out really firing tonight. We had to combat that and really hold on. It was a scrappy win but we'll take it."
The match was riddled with handling errors and tactical misjudgments but delivered a win which kept alive Canterbury's hopes of defending their Super 14 title.
The Stormers were bidding to become the third South African team after the Sharks and Bulls to win in New Zealand this season but errors left them battling deficits of possession and territory.
"We made too many mistakes," said captain Jean de Villiers, who was playing his 50th Super Rugby match.
"The ball was quite slippery and we couldn't seem to get out of our own half. We pride ourselves on our defense but you can't play in your own half for 80 minutes and expect to win."
The Stormers grabbed a 7-0 lead after nine minutes with a brilliant individual try to No. 8 Luke Watson.
Watson stepped through four ineffectual tackles in a superb 30-meter run to the goal line, for a try converted by Willem de Waal.
A penalty to Brett after 24 minutes and a 32-minute try to right winger Adam Whitelock gave the Crusaders the one-point lead they took to halftime.
Scorers
Crusaders
Tries -Adam Whitelock
Penalties -Stephen Brett 2
Conversions -
Drop Goals -
Stormers
Tries -Luke Watson
Penalties -
Conversions -Willem de Waal
Drop Goals -
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 7.35pm (local)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Television match official: James McPhail (New Zealand)
Teams
Crusaders:Wyatt Crockett, Jason Macdonald, Bronson Murray, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Nasi Manu, Thomas Waldrom, Andrew Ellis, Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala, Adam Whitelock, Leon MacDonald.
Reserves Daniel Perrin, Owen Franks, Michael Paterson, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ryan Crotty, Kade Poki.
Stormers:Wicus Blaauw, Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Adriaan Fondse, A.J. Venter, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Enrico Januarie, Willem de Waal, Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Jean De Villiers, Gcobani Bobo, Percy Montgomery.
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