It’s make-or-break in the final round of the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday, with three teams effectively involved in knock-out matches to determine who will join the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks in the semi-finals.
The first game of the weekend will set the tone though, when third-placed Tafel Lager Griquas host the New Nation Pumas, currently fourth on the log, in Kimberley.
Both these sides have enjoyed an excellent season, and can still qualify for the semi-finals, regardless of the result in the Northern Cape. When they clashed in the third round in Nelspruit, the Lowvelders snuck through by 26-22, but having won their matches last weekend, both will be confident for Saturday’s encounter.
Tafel Lager Griquas head coach, Scott Mathie has made changes to his starting line-up.
New Nation Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse made only three changes to his team that will travel to Kimberley.
Ali Mgijima is back at the inside centre in the only change at the back. Niel Otto replaces Phumzile Maqondwana on the side of the scrum while Morgan Naude starts at loosehead prop in place of Dewald Maritz.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. James Verity-Amm, 13. Chris Hollis, 12. Johnathan Francke, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (c), 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. Gideon van der 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 Lindsay, 20. Johan Momsen, 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Tinus de Beer, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Andrew Kuhn, 25. Mzwanele Zito, 26. Andre Swarts.
New Nation Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastián de Klerk, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Ali Mgijima, 11. Ettienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouche, 9. Ginter Smuts, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Niel Otto, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Pieter van Vuuren, 4. Shane Kirkwood, 3. Marne Coetzee, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16. Eduan Swart, 17. Ruan Kramer, 18. IG Prinsloo, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Chriswell September, 22. Alwayno Visagie, 23. Tapiwa Mafura.