The injury-ravaged NSW Waratahs could lose up to five players for Saturday's crunch Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders, but may regain a couple of key back-rowers.

The Waratahs returned on Sunday from South Africa, where they picked up just two bonus points from narrow losses to the Sharks and Bulls and slipped to seventh, one spot outside semi-final contention.

While captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh and No.8 Wycliff Palu might be ready to return from hamstring injuries, NSW could still have a double-digit list of unavailable players.

Lock Kane Douglas is suspended, while back-rower Ben Mowen will miss the Sydney Football Stadium clash with an ankle injury.

Of the other casualties from the Bulls game, prop Benn Robinson (ankle) and winger Lachie Turner (hamstring) were rated doubtful by coach Chris Hickey, while prop Paddy Ryan (AC joint) was given some chance of playing.

NSW must win their last two games against the Highlanders and Brumbies to have any realistic chance of making the finals.

"It's a challenge, there's no doubt about that, and it has been all year with the injuries we just seem to have consistently taken," Hickey said on Sunday at Sydney Airport.

With Sekope Kepu already on the injured list, NSW have just two fit props in Al Baxter and Jeremy Tilse.

"If Paddy Ryan is not right, we will have to look at our options from club rugby," Hickey said.

Palu and Waugh had been training in Sydney while the team had been overseas.

"All the reports we have been receiving have been pretty positive, but we won't know till we see them on Monday, but we're certainly hopeful," Hickey said.

With a number of finals aspirants from New Zealand and South Africa playing each other over the last two rounds, Hickey believed NSW were still very much in the playoff picture.

"I still feel fairly positive we will grab a spot in the six," Hickey said.

He was philosophical rather than angry that the SANZAR judicial officer cleared Pat O'Connor of a headbutt, which had resulted in the replacement lock being sent off and the Waratahs playing the last 13 minutes against the Bulls with 14 men.

"The judiciary has reached a decision and we live with it and move on to the next game," Hickey said.

O'Connor wasn't made available to the media on Sunday, but acting captain Dean Mumm was sure the lock felt better knowing his actions had been vindicated.

Hickey expected to face a "desperate" Highlanders side, who must win on Saturday to maintain their own faint finals hopes.

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