They were improved from their horror-show in Perth; the individual errors were reduced and for 40 minutes, at least, they were a genuine chance. They trailed 12-7 at halftime. But in the second half the Stormers found a gear the Crusaders didn't have and, unless they have something hidden deep inside, the conclusion is fast forming that this year the Crusaders just aren't of the same quality as the Stormers and Bulls.

"We got outplayed tonight," was the verdict of captain Richie McCaw, who made his 100th Super Rugby appearance.

"It wasn't through a lack of trying but we came up against a pretty good Stormers team who put us under pressure. They deserved to win, there's no question about that."

And that's what is slightly alarming. This is a side with the best New Zealand has. They have a front-row the All Black coaches think is up to it - the best performed in the country. In Brad Thorn and Chris Jack, the Crusaders have seasoned locks who know what they are doing.  The loose trio is balanced, athletic and, of course, in possession of McCaw. Carter is the best No 10 in the business and there is pace and ball players through the backline.

Yet for 40 minutes in Cape Town they were outclassed. They didn't have the right answers - they didn't know how to defeat a side that has finally shaken off its propensity for underachievement.

If the Crusaders are to salvage something from this campaign, they will have to show a depth of character that has been absent in the last two weeks. They will have to dig deep, ask how much they want this and deliver faultless, high-tempo, high-quality performances.

No one has beaten the Bulls at home since the Hurricanes managed it in 2008 and you would have to be seriously inebriated to bet on the Bulls losing this one.

The Crusaders have no choice now - they have to do it and they have to pull off a comparably difficult task of flying home on a short turnaround and defeat the Brumbies in Christchurch.Their discipline will have to improve. Their presence at the tackled ball will have to be stronger and in Pretoria they have to be ruthless in the way they go about dismantling the Bulls' driving maul.

It can be argued that we have not yet seen a Bulls side who can play a full 80 minutes as so often it is the second half that sees them finally dominating the opposition. It is a dangerous way to play and we can only believe that they are planning to peak come the finals.