The necessity of flying to South Africa after playing their final group game in Sydney makes the task even more difficult for the Sydney-based team.

But there is encouragement for the Waratahs in the fact that three of the four defeats suffered by the Stormers this season have been against Australian sides while before this season, the Australians had won three and drawn one of their previous five matches against the Stormers, including a win and a draw in Cape Town.

In their only other appearance in a home semifinal, Stormers lost 18-33 to the Highlanders in 1999.

Stormers backline coach and former Springboks centre Robbie Fleck was part of the 1999 team and he told a local newspaper the current side were better equipped to deal with the pressure of home-town expectations.

"In 1999, that week went by so fast. We had a run of six games at Newlands, we were winning and there was great excitement. We were a young side who were playing inspirational rugby and we got caught up in the hype. Before we knew it, we were in a semifinal and we were outplayed."

The current team have played some thrilling rugby, anchored by the most effective defence in the competition.

The tight forwards have been solid, with lock Andries Bekker having an inspired season, while the loose trio of captain Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen have been outstanding.

The biggest improvement in the Stormers team has been in the finishing of a backline bolstered by the signing of Springboks Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.

The Waratahs arrived in South Africa on Sunday night after an impressive 32-16 home win over the Hurricanes in what was effectively a knockout game.

Instead of going directly to Cape Town, they opted to do most of their preparation in Durban, a two-hour flight away.

The Australian side finished third in the round robin, a single bonus-point behind the Stormers, with both teams winning nine matches and losing four.

The Waratahs have lost two key forwards in No 8 Wycliff Palu and prop Benn Robinson through injury but have an inspirational captain in flanker Phil Waugh and some outstanding backs, including five-eighth Berrick Barnes, fullback Kurtley Beale and wings Lachlan Turner and Drew Mitchell.

Simply can't see this going any other way but a win for the Stormers by at least 10 points, but by 1 point will be good enough. Go Stormers!