The match was confirmed after the weekend's results saw the southern side finish sixth.
The last time the teams clashed in the Super Rugby finals the Highlanders beat the Waratahs 35-17 at Allianz Stadium. Seven days later the Highlanders were the 2015 Super Rugby Champions.
However, in round 14 in Sydney this year the Waratahs trounced the Highlanders 41-12.
The Highlanders were assured a place in the finals before they beat the Rebels 43-37 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.
The news since that match could not have been better.
Hours afterwards the Waratahs were beaten 40-31 by the Brumbies. Yesterday morning, the Lions beating the Bulls 38-12 in Johannesburg and the Sharks beating the Jaguares meant the Highlanders avoided trips to their other possible quarterfinal destinations - Buenos Aires and Johannesburg.
The Highlanders received more good news when it was revealed Michael Hooper would not be making a return from a hamstring injury for the Waratahs next weekend.