Stormers captain Jean de Villiers believes the Crusaders are starting to hit their straps in this year's Super 14 after struggling in the early rounds of the competition.

The Crusaders have traditionally been the early pace setters in the competition but in 2009 they embarked on their campaign without ace playmaker Dan Carter and coach Robbie Deans. The experienced trio of captain Richie McCaw, Leon Macdonald and Brad Thorn also missed some of the early action.

The Crusaders bounced back to beat the Waratahs last weekend after losing to the Highlanders and drawing with the Force in the previous two rounds. De Villiers stressed that this is a sign that Crusaders are starting to build some momentum.

"The Crusaders is not a team with many weak points. Everybody knows they initially battled with a new coach and several injuries," De Villiers said in an interview on the Stormers' website.

"They are finding their feet now and are showing better form and they would be smarting for a win at home after losing a few there earlier."

De Villiers said every game was important in the Super 14 and they don't regard this one as more important than the rest because it was the first one.

"We want to win every game we play and this one is no different. If it doesn't happen we have four other games in which we can do it so we can still make a success of the tour."

De Villiers won't be making his 50th Stormers appearance in his customary number 12 jumper after being shifted to outside centre to accommodate Peter Grant's inclusion with Gcobani Bobo moving to the wing for the Crusaders clash.

However, he is happy to do duty there and has no qualms about Grant on his inside and Bobo on his outside.

"I played with Peter a lot before in the 10 and 12 channel. Now it is just a bit wider and we know each other well," he said.

"Bobes is just in the outside channel and the fact that we played together so often at centre would hopefully help us to make a success of things on Saturday."

He also added that being away from home was helpful in the sense that people didn't recognize them on the street and it helped to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

"There is always an extra bit of pressure at home but it is always good to know that your people support you. The guys prepared well and we are focused, so hopefully we can get a win for our supporters."

365