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Kimberley - Griquas are fighting for Currie Cup survival and only a victory will be good enough for coach Hawies Fourie when his charges take on the in-form Golden Lions in Kimberley on Saturday.
After a difficult round of qualifying matches to get back in the Premier Division, Griquas risk again featuring in the playoffs next season if they finish the round-robin stage below sixth place.
Their season has been one of ups and downs - winning the Vodacom Cup but also losing many players to other unions.
If they are to stay in the top tier, they need to take as many points as possible from their two remaining matches at home.
Fourie was confident that his side would be able to do that, starting with the match against the Lions on Saturday.
"We've come to be in a position where it is all about survival for us," Fourie said.
"We came through the qualifying round of games with much effort and we don't want to be back at point A next year. We have to get points against the Lions and we have to use our home ground to our advantage."
The Lions are currently in second spot on the log and will be looking for the full complement of points to ensure a home semi-final.
Fourie would love nothing more than for his charges to spoil the Lions' party.
"We know it is going to be very tough. The Lions have valuable momentum and they will want to continue their good run of form," Fourie said.
"We need points, and that is the reality we are faced with."
One of the danger men travelling to Kimberley is Lions' flank Jaco Kriel, part of a potent loose trio.
Currently the front-runner when it comes to scoring tries, Kriel, Willie Britz and Warwick Tecklenburg will be out to frustrate the hosts.
"It is going to be tough, but we have good momentum and a good mindset in the team. We will definitely want to build on that," Kriel said.
Teams:
Griquas:
15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Jonathan Francke, 12 Wayne Stevens (captain), 11 PJ Vermeulen, 10. Dean Grant, 9. Tian Meyer, 8. Carel Greeff, 7. Jaco Nepgen, 6. Ruaan Lerm, 5. Hugo Kloppers, 4. Hilton Lobberts, 3. Maks van Dyk, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. Janro van Niekerk.
Substitutes: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Simon Westraadt, 18. RJ Liebenberg, 19. Marnus Schoeman, 20. Abrie Griesel, 21 Jacquin Jansen, 22 Danie Dames
Golden Lions:
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe (captain), 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Armand van der Merwe, 1. Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Schalk van der Merwe/Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Derick Minnie, 19. Kwagga Smith, 20. Mark Richards, 21. Marnitz Boshoff, 22. Stokkies Hanekom
