Lions hope to roar into third successive Super Rugby final

JOHANNESBURG  (Reuters) - South Africa’s Lions have overcome long-term injury and the defection of key players to stand on the brink of a third successive Super Rugby final as they welcome the New South Wales Waratahs to their fortress Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Johannesburg-based side lost away to the Wellington Hurricanes and at home to the Canterbury Crusaders in the last two deciders but are comfortably South Africa’s best side in the competition again despite a year of hardships.

Coach Swys de Bruin will hope his side are peaking at the right time as he was able to name close to a full-strength side for Saturday’s semi-final, with rampaging hooker Malcolm Marx, captain Warren Whiteley and livewire wings Ruan Combrinck and Courtnall Skosan all in the mix.