Basson, who made his Springbok debut against Wales in June, has been overlooked by the national selectors during the Tri-Nations, but has channelled his energy towards success at Griquas.

Basson has scored 13 tries in eight rounds of Currie Cup action - nearly double the count of the next closest player.

His four-try haul against the Sharks last weekend was not enough to steer his side to victory, but it demonstrated his wide variety of skills.

He danced his way through tackles and was a rock under the high ball, often turning defence into attack. Handling up-and-unders is one of his great strengths, which could see him evolve into a permanent fullback.

The record for tries in a single Currie Cup season stands at 19, held by the "prince of wings" Carel du Plessis and the less famous Colin Lloyd. Basson, with six group matches to play, is on course to eclipse that record.

But the major motivation is to help Griquas into the semifinals after they missed out in dramatic fashion last year.

After starting this season well with home wins over the Sharks and Lions, Griquas' wheels have come off slightly. Tomorrow's match is their chance to put the season back on track.

The Kimberley side occupy fifth place on the standings, but with 23 points are only one behind third-placed Cheetahs. Another defeat would see them lose touch with the top three.

The Blue Bulls face a critical match against the Sharks in Pretoria. After losing to the Pumas last week, the defending champions are suddenly in a race to secure a play-off place and not one of the top two positions.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has included in his side Springboks Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier and Dewald Potgieter, but a lack of depth in key areas, such as scrumhalf, has caused problems.

The Sharks have no such concerns after seven straight wins following their season-opening defeat against Griquas. They're comfortably on top of the standings - seven points clear of Western Province - while playing the best rugby in the competition.

Patrick Lambie has been a revelation at flyhalf while the forwards - especially the loose forwards - have given the Sharks the edge in every match they've played this season. With Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira in the front row, they're a near-perfect unit at this stage of the season.

WP travel to Johannesburg to face the Lions in a match that they can no longer expect to win by simply arriving. The Lions have grown as the season has progressed and will go into the match with confidence despite losing 32-0 at Newlands in the first round.

WP have lost their last two matches, against the Sharks and Cheetahs, and have to rekindle the defensive spirit that allowed them to set the pace in the first six weeks of competition.

In the weekend's other match the Pumas, fresh off their historic win over the Bulls, travel to Potchefstroom to play the Leopards in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.