Super rugby semi final

The Lions have lost their last eight games home and away to the New Zealand side, including a 20-3 defeat in last year's Super Rugby final in Wellington, and a humbling 50-17 home loss in the 2016 regular season.

That heavy defeat was the last time the South Africans were beaten at their Ellis Park fortress, amassing a winning run of 14 games since, that almost came to an end against the Sharks in the quarter-finals last weekend.

It's the first final for the South Africans, who go on to meet the Hurricanes in Wellington next weekend, where the hosts thrashed the Chiefs 25-9 on Saturday night.

First-five Elton Jantjies displayed a full array of skills at Ellis Park as the Lions confirmed the regular-season standings where they finished second behind the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes first five Barrett was at his mercurial best as he set up the opening try.

After regathering his own chip-kick, the All Black ran cross-field around the defence, before off-loading on the 5m line to the try-scorer, Willis Halaholo.

RNZ reports Coles, who came off in the his side's quarter final win over the Sharks last weekend with a rib injury has been bracketed in the starting lineup with Ricky Riccitelli

He took little part in the Hurricanes training today and avoided any contact work.

Coles has been bracketed with Ricky Riccitelli in an otherwise unchanged Hurricanes starting lineup which means All Black winger Julian Savea remains in the reserves, with Jason Woodward again starting on the left wing.