The Brumbies are level on points with the Australian conference leaders after the Waratahs lost to the Johannesburg Lions 27-22 on Sunday morning (AEDT).

The Waratahs have their noses in front because they have nine wins this season compared to eight for the Brumbies.

The Brumbies - who are sixth on the overall standings - can clinch a finals berth with a bonus-point victory against the lowly Western Force in Perth on Friday night.

The Wellington Hurricanes have already locked in top spot, but the Brumbies and the Waratahs are just one point adrift of the second-placed Cape Town Stormers.

Finishing in the top two is a huge advantage, with those teams having a bye in week one of the finals before hosting a semi-final.

Brumbies lock Jordan Smiler said his side needed to make the most of going back level with the Waratahs.

"Obviously it's good for us they lost, but it's still up to us to keep ourselves in contention," Smiler said.

"You always want to play in front of your home crowd, especially in the finals.

"If we're lucky enough to get that, we'll put ourselves in a good spot to go all the way."

It's tough to determine whether the Brumbies or the Waratahs has the easier run into the finals.

The Brumbies will be favourites to account for the last-placed Force (2-12) in Perth, despite having tripped at that hurdle in the past.

Arch-rivals the Canterbury Crusaders (7-7) then await the Brumbies in what is shaping as a blockbuster encounter at Canberra Stadium on June 13.

The Crusaders will be tipped to beat the Auckland Blues (3-11) on Saturday to keep themselves in finals contention.

The Waratahs round out their South African trip against the Free State Cheetahs (4-10) in Blomfeintein on Sunday (AEST) before an inter-state clash with the Queensland Reds (4-10) in Sydney.

Smiler came off the bench earlier than expected in Friday night's 22-16 win against the Pretoria Bulls, replacing injured lock Sam Carter.

The Wallabies representative could miss up to 12 weeks with a torn medial ligament in his knee, ending his Super Rugby campaign.

"It's a massive blow for us," Smiler said.

"He's a leader of the forward pack and we'll definitely miss him.

"Whoever is called up to fill that role has got big shoes to fill, but we'll be happy and comfortable with whoever fills that position."

The versatile Smiler could be an option to replace Carter in the starting side, while Tom Staniforth, Rory Arnold and Blake Enever are also in the mix.

Smiler said the Brumbies won't be taking the Force lightly.

''They are inconsistent at times, but every time we've played them, especially over there, they've brought massive competition," Smiler said.

"We play very similar games and we know they're going to be very hard at the breakdown.

"That's a massive focus for us."