The Brumbies are aiming to defy history by beating the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning, Australian time, to win a place in the grand final. If they do, they will be the first team to beat the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in a finals match.

Sio, 21, admitted the task of beating the Bulls was daunting. But the fringe Test front-rower said the Brumbies' ''tight bond'' would boost their title hopes.

''Over the past two years we've formed really tight bonds and that's why our game plan has been so effective,'' Sio said.

''Everyone has bought into it. It's a team chemistry that we've got and it's going to be the biggest thing for us, being able to draw on each other in the tough times.

''We're under no illusion, we know it's going to be tough. It can be overwhelming if you don't approach it in the right way, so we have to get that spot on.''

The Brumbies arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday and will base themselves there for most of the week. They will travel to Pretoria on Friday to finalise preparations.

Having to fly 14 hours to South Africa and acclimatise immediately puts the Brumbies on the back foot.

Sio has never played against the Bulls in Pretoria. He was part of the travelling party when the Brumbies lost 36-34 last year, but not in the game-day squad.

But Sio was adamant the travel, a brutal game against the Cheetahs in the opening final and 50,000 rabid Bulls fans would not be used as an excuse for a poor performance.

The Brumbies are facing an exhausting journey to the championship if they get through the clash with the Bulls.

A final in either Canberra or Waikato would mean the Brumbies have travelled almost 30,000 kilometres in the past three weeks.

Sio is pushing his claims to be included in new coach Ewen McKenzie's first Wallabies squad.

Sio, a former NSW Waratahs junior, has not spoken to McKenzie since he took over the coaching reins from Robbie Deans earlier this month. But he hopes strong performances in the finals will help him continue his rise to earn his first Test cap.

Despite playing less than 20 Super Rugby matches, Sio was called into the Wallabies' extended squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions.

He has secured a regular place in the game-day 22-man squad only this season and has a handful of starting appearances to his name. But his scrummaging was crucial in ensuring the Brumbies beat the Cheetahs and he is eyeing off a spot in the Wallabies' Rugby Championship squad.

''I haven't heard from Ewen, I've just been told like everyone else that he's going to pick a squad on August 5,'' Sio said.

''There's nothing you can do about it. All you can focus on is this weekend. My parents always told me to never take anything for granted. When the time comes around, I'd be more than happy and proud if the chance happens.

''But all my goals are [focused on] the Brumbies.''