Brumbies coach Jake White insists the pressure is on NSW – not his side – to prove they deserve top spot in the Australian conference ahead of their highly-anticipated Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

It looms as a crunch match for both sides, with surprise leaders the Brumbies looking to extend their five-point buffer at the head of the conference with a victory at home.

The Waratahs, on the other hand, are looking to press their claims for finals by closing the gap on their rivals, with 20,000 expected at Canberra Stadium to see whose intentions become reality.

White on Thursday acknowledged the hype surrounding the game, but said his job was to ensure his players don’t get sucked in by it.

He’s pressed them to remember that it’s the Waratahs – not the Brumbies – who’ll bear the biggest burden on the night to pull off a win.

“It’s probably more season-defining for them more so than it is for us,” White said.

“It’s make or break for them and with that comes added pressure for us.

“But it’s not a war against the Waratahs. For us, it’s just another game.”

White’s men aren’t lacking in confidence after coming back from a tough fortnight in South Africa with a hard-earned seven points in clashes with the Bulls and the Lions – making it their best performance there since 2002.

It made a statement about the Brumbies’ potential to make the playoffs this year after a seven-year drought – and a win over the Waratahs would only emphasise the call.

While White is reluctant to mention the ‘F’ word, he knows his young squad – all but written off in the pre-season – are capable of knocking off anyone in the competition.

“Every week, they’ve had to adjust to the pressures that come and, this week, the pressure is that the Waratahs are desperate,” he said.

“A happy team is one that makes a lot of noise and that talks a lot at practice. (Today) there was a lot of talk, a lot of energy, not only because they’re doing well but because they understand what they have to do and they understand what’s coming.”

White has made three changes to his starting line-up that beat the Lions in Johannesburg on the weekend, bringing back forwards Dan Palmer and Sam Carter, while skipper Ben Mowen returns from a neck injury.

It’s the first time Mowen will clash with his old teammates, while the Waratahs’ line-up boasts no less than four former Brumbies, including Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rocky Elsom, who starts from the bench.

Pat McCabe said the old rivalries would add a bit of spice to the clash.