The NSW Waratahs insist they have no plans to play high-risk rugby chasing a desperately-needed bonus point in Saturday night's do-or-die Super 14 clash with the Sharks in Durban.

The defending champion Crusaders turned up the heat on the Waratahs on Friday night when they surged into the top four with their own 32-12 bonus-point triumph over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch.

The victory elevated the Crusaders above the Sharks into fourth place, relegated the Waratahs to sixth and left NSW needing to win by 12 points or more plus score at least four tries in order to take control of their finals destiny.

Anything less and the Waratahs would need not only to beat the Lions in Johannesburg in next weekend's final round but also sweat on other results going their way.

But NSW coach Chris Hickey said it would be foolish of the Waratahs - who have the third-worst attacking record in the tournament - to go out trying to score tries willy nilly.

"There's a danger in just going out to get a bonus point," Hickey said.

"First of all, you've got to win the game and then, once you've got the game won, you worry about the bonus point.

"If you go the other way and are simply chasing a bonus point, it's probably a recipe for losing the game."

The Waratahs received a double boost on Friday when star winger Lote Tuqiri and powerhouse hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau were both cleared to play after successful completing the captain's run at ABSA Stadium.

Tuqiri had not run since dislocating his knee in last week's win over the Cheetahs, while Polota-Nau had been in doubt with an ankle injury.

The Sharks, on the other hand, will be understrength, with goalkicking centre Francois Steyn (knee) sidelined and in-form halfback Rory Kockott suspended.

"Obviously losing Kockott at halfback would be significant from their point of view," Hickey said.

"And then Francois Steyn being out doesn't help them, but the reality is the depth of rugby over here is so strong that whoever they bring in to replace those players will be quality players."

The Waratahs have won four of their last five encounters with the Sharks, including last year's semi-final in Sydney, and a morale-boosting 36-13 victory in Durban two visits ago to South Africa in 2005.

"I think the players who were part of that win certainly wouldn't feel intimidated about playing at King's Park," Hickey said.

The game kicks off at 11pm on Saturday AEST.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP