JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Malcolm Marx has made a timely return from injury to hand the Lions a significant boost as the South Africans seek to reach the Super Rugby final for a third successive year when they host the New South Wales Waratahs in Saturday's semi-final.

The 24-year-old hooker’s performance in last weekend’s quarter-final win over the Jaguares drew rich praise as he catapulted his way around the field, carrying the ball forcefully, winning four turnovers with his poaching at the ruck and scoring a long-range intercept try that changed the course of the game.