Tafel Lager Griquas will host DHL Western Province this afternoon @ 13h30 at Tafel Lager Park, where victory for either side will give their playoff hopes a massive boost. In the fourth round, the men from the Northern Cape caused a massive upset with a two-point win in Cape Town, and if they can repeat that, Tafel Lager Griquas will be in a strong position to finish in the top-four.
The Cell C Sharks' win yesterday against the Sigma Lions gave a bit more clarity regarding possible playoff possibilities. Only Western Province can overtake the Sharks to secure a home semi-final provided that they win both of their outstanding fixtures, earn a maximum of 10 log points and add 59 points to their points difference. The place for the 3rd and 4th spots is, however, still wide open with Western Province, Pumas and Griquas still able to qualify even if they lose one more game.
Tafel Lager Griquas' head coach, Scott Mathie made no changes to the starting lineup that lost 32-33 to the Toyota Cheetahs on Wednesday in Kimberley.
DHL Western Province made five changes in the forward pack and one in the backline for the Carling Currie Cup encounter which kicks off at 13h30 on Sunday at Tafel Lager Park.
The only change to the backline sees the experienced Juan de Jongh come in at inside centre, to partner Ruhan Nel in midfield.
Dayimani is at No.8, with Evan Roos rested and Deon Fourie set to make an impact in the second half from the replacements bench as Nama Xaba comes back into the starting XV at openside flank.
There is an all-new front, with Sazi Sandi and Kwenzo Blose the props and Andre-Hugo Venter at hooker in place of the injured Scarra Ntubeni.
Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is determined to keep building momentum in the final rounds of the league phase of the season.
“It has been a quick turnaround between games which has meant we needed to change some things up, but we are bringing some quality players back into the side and we are excited to see what they can do.
“It will be a real challenge against a good team, but we have embraced it and will be giving it everything we have for the full 80 minutes up there,” he said.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. Eduan Keyter, 13. Chris Hollis, 12. Jonathan Francke, 11. James Verity-Amm, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp ©, 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. Gideon vd Merwe, 5. Stefan Willemse, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Erich de Jager, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 1. Mox Mxoli. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Andrew Beerwinkel, 18. Janu Botha, 19. Cameron Momsen, 20. Johan Momsen 21. Reagan Oranje, 22. Tinus de Beer, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Andrew Kuhn 25. Luyolo Dapula, 26. Zander du Plessis
DHL Western Province: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose. Replacements (from): 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Cornel Smit, 24 Dan du Plessis, 25 Tristan Leyds.