Bernard Foley scored two of the New South Wales Waratahs' three tries as they overturned a 17-point deficit while they had a man advantage to beat the Otago Highlanders 30-23 in their Vodacom Super Rugby quarterfinal on Saturday.
The Waratahs had been trailing 23-6 until Waisake Naholo was yellow carded for two successive high tackles as the Highlanders scrambled back in defence following an intercept on his own tryline by Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Foley, who ended with 25 points, and Israel Folau crossed as the home side turned their deficit into a 27-23 lead they managed to extend. They held on despite being reduced to 14 men for the final eight minutes after replacement prop Paddy Ryan was sinbinned.
Naholo and Rob Thompson scored tries for the Highlanders, who had been looking odds on favourites for a semifinal against either the Lions or Jaguares next week, before the All Blacks winger was sinbinned.