Pressure will be on Hurricanes in Super Rugby final - Johan Ackermann

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann believes the pressure will lie squarely on the Hurricanes when the two teams lock horns with each other in the final of the Super Rugby tournament at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

The Australasian group leader Hurricanes defeated Chiefs in the semi-final clash by 25-9 to make it to the final while the Lions stormed into the final after beating the Highlanders 42-30.

History says the Hurricanes are firm favourites for the contest as no South African team have ever won a play-off game in New Zealand. In the last seven encounters between the two teams, Hurricanes have won all the games with their last defeat against the Lions coming way back in 2007.

Ackermann, who took over the coaching role of Lions in 2013 believes his team's chances of winning the tournament are equally poised and is confident of creating history in the Saturday's encounter.

"Our chances are 50/50 to win it,' he said. 'Yes, the trip will provide a challenge, but last year we won three of our four matches on tour and this year two out of three.

"We are a group that likes to spend time together and we look forward to the challenge of the final. I think all the pressure will be on the Hurricanes because they are the favourites and will be playing at home."

The former South African lock also expressed satisfaction over how the Lions have progressed in the last three years.

"Exactly three years ago we played in a promotion-relegation match against the Kings. What we have achieved in just three years to get here is very difficult to imagine."

In the last three Super Rugby seasons, the Hurricanes have lost just five out of the 27 games played at Westpac Stadium.