And after an emotional speech from champions George Smith and Clyde Rathbone, White declared the Brumbies have already packed their bags for a trip to South Africa to play the Pretoria Bulls next weekend.

Smith and Rathbone - the last links to a championship era - urged the young Brumbies to ''create our own legacy'' as they prepared for their first finals match in nine years against the Free State Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

If they lose, their season is over. If they win, they fly to South Africa on Monday morning for a semi-final clash with the Bulls.

White has become the master of motivating his players in his two seasons in charge of the Brumbies.

To bring back tradition, the World Cup-winning coach has called in former players, the late author Bryce Courtenay and Australian Defence Force chief General David Hurley to lift the team on the eve of matches.

But in preparation for the Brumbies' most important game in nine years, White handed the

reins to championship winners Smith and Rathbone.

The duo - Smith played in 2001 and 2004 titles and Rathbone won the championship in 2004 - pleaded with the young Brumbies to start a new generation of success.

''This club is based on history. There are a lot of records we are proud of,'' White said. ''To have two boys who have won championships talk about the uniqueness of the Brumbies is … a massive boost for this young group.

''I thought about what message we want to get across … the people most apt to speak about finals are people who have been there and done it.''

White has only once before asked the players to step up in jersey presentations. That was before the game against the Otago Highlanders in April, with the Brumbies' season hanging in the balance following one win in three matches.

White asked the players to present a jersey to a teammate and tell them what made them so special to the Brumbies.

It's the same strategy used when he was in charge of South Africa and it worked both times.

The Brumbies are playing in their first final since they won the title in 2004.

''[Smith and Rathbone] just spoke about starting the next generation,'' Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.

''We've got a rich history here, but we want to make sure this group starts to create a bit of our own and that starts [on Sunday].

''It's massive to have those guys, you draw a lot of comfort from them. Clyde's point was that we have to create our own legacy. Success in the past is great, but we want to talk about Brumbies rugby in 2013 being successful.''

The young Brumbies have been caught out by looking too far ahead in the past two seasons. They squandered a chance to make the play-offs last year when they suffered a last-round choke against the Auckland Blues.

The Brumbies No.1 priority is beating the Cheetahs. But White said they had to have their bags packed for South Africa if they wanted to continue their charge.

''I'm thinking we're going to Pretoria and if I don't think we're going to Pretoria on Monday then we might as well not pitch up [against the Cheetahs],'' he said.

''Without being arrogant about it, if the coach and the team doesn't believe we're going to be playing next week, then we're not going to have any chance of winning.

''You've got to think ahead. There are three games left in the tournament, we have to plan like we're playing in them. It doesn't mean you take this week for granted. But the Brumbies have always been known for their preparation.

''You've got to believe you can win the tournament and if you believe we can do that, surely you think we're going to Pretoria this week.''