Griquas, Sharks with a point to prove

03 October 2014 - 15:43 By Sapa
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Marnus Schoeman of GWK Griquas during the Absa Currie Cup match between GWK Griquas and Steval Pumas at GWK Park on September 13, 2014 in Kimberley, South Africa.
Marnus Schoeman of GWK Griquas during the Absa Currie Cup match between GWK Griquas and Steval Pumas at GWK Park on September 13, 2014 in Kimberley, South Africa.

Griquas and the Eastern Province Kings both have a point to prove when the two sides clash in a bottom of the log Currie Cup encounter at GWK Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

The Peacock Blues don't have any real chance of booking a spot in the semi-finals, but more importantly need a bonus point victory over the visitors as they still strive to finish the pool stages among the top six teams and in doing so ensure they remain in the Premier Division of next year's competition.

The Kings on the other hand have not won a single game thus far in a Currie Cup campaign that can be described as disappointing at best.

Handed their inclusion in the Premier Division by Saru earlier this year, they are yet to prove that they are worthy and will be out to claim their first victory when they travel to the City of Diamonds.

The Griquas come off a tough round of qualifying games which saw them progress to the top tier and coach Hawies Fourie has repeatedly highlighted the fact that noting less that five points will be good enough against the Kings.

"I have said the same thing the last couple of weeks. We are fighting for Currie Cup survival and in search of that we have no other choice but to beat the Kings," Fourie said.

"We don't just want this victory, we need it desperately."

Seven points adrift from the Blue Bulls, who currently reside in sixth place, Griquas will have to shrug of the impact of injuries to stalwarts like lock Hilton Lobberts and fly half Francois Brummer, while at the same time focussing on giving a couple of players a good send off in their final home game before setting off to greener pastures.

"We have four guys, Marnus Schoeman, Maks van Dyk, Ryno Barnes and Boela Serfontein who are all off elsewhere at the end of the season.

"We want to help give them a good send off."

For the Kings there is little more than pride at stake as the Port Elizabeth based side will look to salvage some momentum from what has been a dismal competition.

Kings coach Carlos Spencer was confident that his side could do well if they stuck to the structures.

"We need to keep to our game plan and not allow Griquas to play the game they want," Spencer said.

"The first 20 minutes of each game is where we let ourselves down thus far and we need to get a solid start and keep it if we are to beat them. We are very excited about the game."

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