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Johannesburg - Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams says the mental approach of his side will be key when they take on the table-topping Highveld Lions in Friday's Ram Slam T20 Challenge match in Johannesburg.
"We need to be mentally strong and ready to play," said Adams ahead of the Wanderers clash.
"This is a very important week for the Cobras, playing on Friday and again on Sunday. It's a big one against the Lions who are leading the log and playing really well."
The Cobras were denied the chance to displace the Lions at the summit on Wednesday when they hosted the Knights in Paarl. Persistent rain meant the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled and the teams shared the points.
Lying third with 11 points after three games, the Cobras were two points behind the Lions who have a perfect record from their trio of matches.
Adaptability under pressure would be crucial according to the Cobras coach.
"It's just about making sure we implement our game plan and use our structures and about how we want to play each situation."
In Bloemfontein against the Knights on Friday, the Titans would be looking for their first win in the competition after three straight losses. Captain Henry Davids believed containing the opposition batsmen in the first six overs would be paramount.
"We've been good in certain stages of all the matches, but there's still much to work on," said Davids.
"Most of the teams are getting big runs against us in the first six overs. We need to work on keeping the rate down there."
The Titans had fallen to heavy defeats against both the Knights (35 runs) and the Dolphins (64 runs) in the last week, but Davids believed his troops were not far from gelling as a unit.
"Things haven't gone our way. In the first two games we were in positions where we should've won the games. The last game we were outplayed against the Dolphins.
"It's small things. All three parts [batting, bowling, fielding] of the game have to be put together."
The Titans would also be boosted by the return of David Wiese who was with the Proteas in Australia, where he starred in a losing cause for South Africa with 3/21 in the final T20 International in Sydney on Sunday.
"Dave will be good to go on Friday. He did really well in Australia so he's coming back with a lot of confidence," the skipper said.
"He offers a lot with the bat and the ball and obviously his experience."
The Dolphins, meanwhile, according to coach Lance Klusener, would be looking to fire on all cylinders against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth.
"I'd like us to be a little more consistent. We just need to find a balance that might work for us," said Klusener.
The Durban side were placed fourth on the table, but only three points behind the Lions after their big win against the Titans in their previous outing.
Against the Warriors who occupied bottom spot on the log after three heavy defeats, the Dolphins would be the overwhelming favourites on Friday night.
"Confidence is good, and we're still chasing that perfect game but we haven't got there yet. Our fielding is something that can be much better, so we're working on that," said Klusener.
On Sunday, all six teams will be back in action at Kingsmead in Durban, in the second triple-header of the competition.
First up, the Titans take on the Cobras before the Lions face the Warriors.
In the final match, the Dolphins will battle it out against the Knights.
