The Waratahs (288 points conceded) have been typically miserly but despite being the second best team on defence are a massive 117 points more generous that the Stormers (171 points) who have been stunning in their execution in all aspects of tackling.

The Stormers will now prepare for just their third semi-final since 1999, which was also the last time they had the luxury of home comforts in the elimination stage.

Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said that his team had high hopes to go all the way, and hoped that his players would “pitch” up for the finals.

“Getting to the play-offs was the first goal we set for ourselves this year,” said Coetzee to Iafrica.com

“But in the same breath, we've achieved nothing yet. This is five percent of what we want to achieve.”

“I think our challenge is to make sure our players pitch up physically like they have tonight. You've got to go out and impose yourselves physically; you've got to pitch up with physical intensity and keep up the pressure.”

“We've got to make sure we back our systems. It's been working. Whenever we play within our systems, there's no great individual performance but a solid team performance and that's what we're looking forward to seeing next week. We'll leave nothing out there against the Waratahs.”

Coetzee said that his side were wary of the Waratahs, despite comprehensively outplaying them in week two to win 27-6. He said that their forward pack was imposing and that based on results over the season were the most improved side in the competition.

The Stormers camp confirmed that there were no injury concerns for the team, and captain Schalk Burger, arguably the form flanker of the competition, was excited about the upcoming semi final clash.

"I'm very proud of my team, to secure second place on the log and a home semifinal is a great effort," he said.