Griquas in survival mode
Griquas coach Hawies Fourie said the focus in Kimberley has shifted from making the play-offs to ensuring their place in next year's Currie Cup.
Griquas went down to local rivals the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday, leaving them in seventh place ahead of their clash with the defending champion Sharks in Durban next week.
As in Round One against the Sharks in Kimberley, Griquas were left one man short for about 50 minutes because of a red card.
This time it wasn't for a dangerous tackle as in centre Jonathan Francke's case earlier, but rather for professional fouls.
Griquas' No.8 Carel Greeff was sent off when he got his second yellow card – an automatic red – and that left the hosts to scramble on defence.
"With the first yellow card I felt that Carel was a little bit unlucky. Sarel Pretorius quick-tapped the ball and anyone in close proximity would have tackled him. If you don't, he usually scores," Griquas' coach Fourie said.
"Carel's second yellow and the resulting red was his own fault. He should know better than not to roll away at the ruck."
Griquas are now in seventh place on the log and face a difficult away game against the Sharks in Durban next weekend.
Fourie knew beforehand that a loss would put his side in a difficult spot and he conceded that their lacklustre performance against the Cheetahs did not do them any favours.
"We are now in a position where we need to finish in the top six if we want to be sure of our participation next year.
"We put ourselves in this tight fix and the focus now shifts from trying to reach the knockout stages to survival with regards to next season," Fourie said.
SAPA
