JOHANNESBURG - Following the completion of the Super Rugby quarterfinals on Saturday the draw and schedule for the semi-finals have been confirmed by SANZAAR.
The two top-ranked teams, the Lions and Crusaders, both won their quarterfinals and will therefore host the semi-finals. Semi-final one will kick-off in Johannesburg between the Lions and Hurricanes. Semi-final two will be played in Christchurch between the Crusaders and Chiefs.
Despite taking a slim one point lead into half-time on Friday night in Canberra the Brumbies could not stop the defending champions, the Hurricanes, from scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half to win their quarterfinal match-up. The all-New Zealand quarterfinal in Christchurch, played in atrocious wet conditions, was won by the home team as the Crusaders scored 17 points in the first half to shut out the Highlanders.
In Johannesburg however, it took a long-range penalty goal on the 78-minute mark by Ruan Combrinck for the Lions to beat the gallant Sharks 23-21. In Cape Town in the last quarterfinal the visiting Chiefs upset the Stormers 17-11, each team scoring a try but the difference was the boot of Damian McKenzie who slotted four penalty goals.
Quarterfinal Results
QF1:
[1] Lions 23 [8] Sharks 21
QF2:
[2] Crusaders 17 [7] Highlanders 0
QF3:
[3] Stormers 11 [6] Chiefs 17
QF4:
[4] Brumbies 16 [5] Hurricanes 35
Semi-final match draw & schedule (all times local)
SF1:
Winner QF1 v Winner QF4
SF2
: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3
SF1
: Saturday July 29;
Lions v Hurricanes, Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg, 2.30pm
SF2:
Saturday July 29;
Crusaders v Chiefs, AMI Park, Christchurch 7.35pm (9:35am SA Time)