Preview: First Division dash for cash
The surprise revelation last week that the winners and runners-up of the First Division will walk away with ZAR1m and ZAR500000 respectively, is expected to add a new dimension to the competition this weekend as the scramble for semifinal places intensifies.
As things stand, the Pumas have a 10-point lead at the top of the log table, but only one point separates the second-placed Leopards and SWD Eagles from the EP Kings and Boland Cavaliers respectively.
This combined with the financial incentive will undoubtedly motivate the teams to lift their game to avoid the disappointment of losing out on a semifinal berth by a few points at the end of the season.
In Friday's clashes the SWD Eagles host the Border Bulldogs at Outeniqua Park in George and the Pumas meet the EP Kings in Nelspruit.
On Saturday the Griffons take on the Falcons at the North West Stadium in Welkom and the Leopards go up against the Boland Cavaliers in Potchefstroom.
In George the SWD Eagles will enter the clash against the Border Bulldogs as favourites on form given their knack at scoring tries which has seen them accumulate four bonus points in their first seven matches.
The Bulldogs who have only one victory to show for their efforts this season, will look to emulate their brave effort against the EP Kings last week in which they did not concede a try and matched the team physically, which resulted in an arm-wrestle of a match.
Given the playmaking abilities of backs Alshaun Bock, Jeffrey Taljard and Justin van Staden, however, they will have their hands full.
The Bulldogs will also have to step up their attack to keep alive hopes of a victory.
The Pumas, meanwhile, will look to extend their lead at the top of the log when they line up against the EP Kings at the Mbombela Stadium, and with their attack and defence functioning well, they may have an edge.
However, the Kings have been bolstered by the return of their Super Rugby players George Whitehead, Ronnie Cooke, Hannes Franklin, Darron Nel and Steven Sykes.
Apart from adding a new dimension to their attack and defence, their return could provide the mental and physical edge the team needs to become the force they were in the series last season.
The clash between the Leopards and Boland Cavaliers should be equally thrilling. Should Boland win, they will leapfrog the Leopards on the log and find themselves in the top three, which will serve as huge motivation for the team.
This, however, will require a solid effort on defence, in particular, as the Potchefstroom team has been averaging six tries per match. This effective attack has earned them four bonus points for tries, which catapulted them above the Cavaliers on the log, despite the Boland side having won one match more.
Given the determination in both camps to build winning momentum as the competition reaches the business end, however, it should be a nail-biting encounter.
In the other match, the Griffons will be determined to capitalise on their home ground advantage against the Falcons to stay ahead of their rivals lower down on the log, but given both teams' slow starts to the season and their significant points deficit on the standings, they may find themselves playing for pride.
First Division fixtures:
Friday, August 16
SWD Eagles v Border Bulldogs
(Outeniqua Park, George – Kick-off: 19.00)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Rodney Bonaparte
Pumas v EP Kings
(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kickoff: 19.00)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete, Stefan Breytenbach
Saturday, August 17
Griffons v Falcons
(North West Stadium, Welkom – Kick-off: 15.00)
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Daniel Fortuin, Henrico van Rooyen
Leopards v Boland Cavaliers
(Olén Park, Potchefstroom – Kick-off: 15.00)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete, Sieg van Staden
