Waratahs scrumhalf Nick Phipps says they’ll be looking to centre Kurtley Beale to provide a ‘spark’ in Saturday’s semi-final against the Lions at Ellis Park.

The Australian conference winners booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic 30-24 win against the Highlanders last weekend. However, the Tahs will be up against the odds this Saturday after travelling from Sydney to Johannesburg.

Phipps told local reporters that they are relying on Beale to fire against the Lions.

‘KB’s that man for us, he’s our spark. His ability to turn nothing into something and his control … He wants to be in that leadership role and if he’s playing great footy, we’re playing great footy.

‘So we’ll put the big boy on ice and make sure he’s ready to go.’

Phipps insisted that altitude will not be a factor in how the Waratahs approach the semi-final.

‘It’s no big issue. Everyone’s in great spirits and quite antsy [after not training on Tuesday]. We like to play quick, unrelenting footy [and that won’t change].’

Photo: Matt King/Getty Images