The Stormers-Cheetahs match will determine who plays where in the finals. Photo / Getty Images
All eyes will be on the encounter in Bloemfontein this morning - the Chiefs will stay in control of the tournament if the Stormers fail to gain five points against the Cheetahs.
As much as the Chiefs will have rued Sonny Bill Williams' last-minute decision to go it alone instead
of pass against the Crusaders, all can be forgiven if they head to Wellington on Friday knowing they can still top the table with a victory against the Hurricanes.
Five points ahead before the Cheetahs-Stormers game overnight, the Chiefs will retain top spot if they score four tries in beating the Hurricanes and the South Africans don't take the maximum 10 points from their final two games - the last being a home clash against the Rebels.
The Chiefs can still progress if they take four points but that will hang in the balance: if they finish equal on competition points with the Stormers, it will come down to points differential (they will both have the same number of wins). The Chiefs were at plus-90 last night, the Stormers at plus-84.
Staying top will be crucial - it will mean they have the first playoff week off, will play the lowest ranked team in the semifinals and, most crucially, will be able to host the final if they progress.
