Waikato chiefs
Rampant Crusaders heap more misery on Chiefs
The six-tries-to-one, bonus-point win, kept the unbeaten Crusaders at the top of the ladder with their third win from as many matches.
Full-back Damian McKenzie raised his match points tally to 20 by converting from near the touchline to give the Chiefs a three-point advantage which they defended until full-time.
The Crusaders’ latest fullback find Will Jordan scored twice, as did All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor in his first outing of the year.
The Crusaders now face the winner of the later semi-final in JHB between the Lions and reigning champion Wellington Hurricanes.
Du Plessis, who is likely to be part of the Springbok squad at the World Cup, was sent off.
SWB has been linked with Dave Rennie's Chiefs in his native New Zealand next season.
The Waikato Chiefs beat the Canterbury Crusaders 20-19 in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Crusaders and the Chiefs clash in Saturday's first Super Rugby semi-final
Aaron Cruden helped the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday.
Waikato Chiefs beat the Cheetahs 45-3 in a Super Rugby match in Hamilton on Saturday.
Super Rugby fans can expect intensity in this weekend's semi-finals.
Sonny Bill Williams says he dreams of winning the Super Rugby trophy with the Chiefs.
The Stormers secured a 26-21 win over the Melbourne Rebels in a Super Rugby clash on Saturday.
EWN Sport's Marc Lewis calculates all the permutations going into the final round of group matches.
The Crusaders kept their Super Rugby playoff hopes alive with a tension-charged 28-21 win over the Chiefs.
The Stormers thrashed the Lions 27-17 during their Super Rugby clash on Saturday.