Super Rugby playoffs revealed

Ryan Crotty of the Crusaders is tackled by Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders. Photosport

There will be a New Zealand derby in the first week of the Super Rugby playoffs after the Lions secured top seeding with a victory overnight.

The Lions moved ahead of the Crusaders on the overall standings following a 27-10 victory over the Sharks in Johannesburg.

The Lions will now face the Sharks at home in the quarter-finals on Sunday morning and hold home advantage for the playoffs should they advance all the way to the final.

The second placed Crusaders will host the Highlanders on Saturday night while the Chiefs make the trip to Cape Town to play the Stormers on Sunday.

In the other quarter-final the Hurricanes head to Canberra to play the Brumbies on Friday night after last year's champions handed the Crusaders their first defeat of the Super Rugby season in Wellington last night.

The Crusaders and Highlanders have met three times previously in Super Rugby playoffs with the Crusaders winning all three encounters.

However they haven't clashed in the post season since the 2002 semifinals. They met twice during the season, Crusaders won 30-27 in Dunedin and 25-22 in Christchurch.

The Hurricanes thrashed the Brumbies 56-21 during their previous meeting in Napier in April, while the Chiefs have already travelled to Cape Town this season where they lost 34-26 to the Stormers.

The Chiefs look to have the toughest path to the final which could potentially mean two trips to South Africa. Should the Chiefs beat the Stormers this week they will then have to travel to back New Zealand to face the winner of the Crusaders and the Highlanders clash for a spot in the final.

Super Rugby quarter-finals

Friday
4-Brumbies v 5-Hurricanes, Canberra, 9.35pm

Saturday
2-Crusaders v 7-Highlanders, Christchurch, 7.35pm

Sunday
1-Lions v 8-Sharks, Johannesburg, 12.30am
3-Stormers v 6-Chiefs, Cape Town, 3am