Every log point will be worth its weight in gold when Park and the NMU Madibaz square off in a Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby showdown on Saturday.
This is a must-win clash for both teams who will enter the contest at Londt Park eager to climb up the league table and claim playoff berths.
Park are in sixth spot on the log, with 30 points after 12 matches, and the Madibaz are in ninth, with 24 points from 10 outings.
Park are licking their wounds after a narrow 26-25 loss against log-leaders Kruisfontein United last week, while the students have momentum on their side after a 34-24 win over Despatch Oostelikes.
Backed by their home supporters, Park will start favourites against a Madibaz side who have endured a disjointed start to the season.
The students were forced to concede early season matches because of their involvement in the Varsity Cup and later because they participated in the University Sports SA tournament in Makhanda.
Now that they have a clear run of fixtures, the students will bid to make a late charge to reach the top four and earn a semifinal berth.
At the start of the season, Madibaz captain Leon van der Merwe said his team were using the Grand Challenge to give players who did not feature in the Varsity Cup game time.
However, with the season reaching the business end, the Madibaz are likely to rope in their front line players in a bid for honours.
In 2022, the students reached the Grand Challenge final where they were beaten 23-15 by Progress at the De Wet Stadium in Despatch.
After a narrow escape against Park last week, Kruisfontein will be looking to bolster their lead at the top of the table when they host Central at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp.
Kruisfontein had to overturn a 19-14 halftime deficit at Londt Park before they were able to record a 10th win from 12 matches to remain clear log leaders.
It was a victory which enabled Kruisfontein to achieve a double over Park after thrashing them 36-0 in the first round at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp.
Second-placed Progress stayed in touch with the leaders when they were awarded a 28-0 walkover win over Central after the Graaff-Reinet side failed to pitch for their clash at Central Field in Kariega last week.
With a break from action to freshen up, Progress face a trip to Makhanda to face Brumbies.
Despatch Oostelikes remained in the relegation zone when they were beaten by the Madibaz at the campus last week.
Back on home soil at Daleview on Saturday, Oostelikes will be targeting maximum points against bottom-of-the-log Hankey Villagers.
After running in nine tries on their way to an impressive 58-25 win over Brumbies at the Adcock Stadium last week, Harlequins will be eyeing another win when they travel to face Joubertina United.
Saturday’s fixtures:
Top 12: Despatch Oostelikes v Hankey Villagers, Park v NMU Madibaz, Kruisfontein United v Central, Brumbies v Progress, Joubertina v Harlequins, Gardens v Trying Stars.
Middle 12: Born Fighters v Star of Hope, Evergreens v United Barbarians, Jeffreys Bay v Despatch, Spring Rose v Kirkwood, Missionvale v Kwaru, Motherwell v Suburban.
Bottom 12: St Marks (Alicedale) v Orlando Eagles, Adelaide Rangers v Lily White, Windvogel v Police/Crusaders, St Marks (Gqeberha) v Excelsior, Kareedouw Tigers v Easterns, Aberdeen v African Bombers.
Logs with matches played in brackets:
Top 12: Kruisfontein United 53 (12), Progress 41 (11), Trying Stars 40 (13), Gardens 39 (13), Harlequins 38 (13), Park 30 (12), Joubertina 29 (23), Brumbies 29 (13), Brumbies 29 (13), NMU Madibaz 24 (10), Central 20 (11), Despatch Oostelikes 19 (12), Hankey Villagers 16 (13).
Middle 12: Star of Hope 39 (10), United Barbarians 37 (10), Jeffreys Bay 36 (13), Kirkwood 34 (13), Motherwell 33 (12), Despatch 33 (12), Evergreens 28 (12), Kwaru 27 (12), Spring Rose 23 (11), Suburban 23 (12), Missionvale 18 (11), Born Fighters 17 (12).
Bottom 12: Police/Crusaders 38 (12), Kareedouw Tigers 36 (12), African Bombers 33 (12), Windvogel United 32 (12), Lily White 30 (12), Easterns 29 (11), Orlando Eagles 29 (13), Aberdeen 29 (12), St Marks (Alicedale) 27 (13), Adelaide Rangers 23 (11), Excelsior 20 (12), St Marks (Gqeberha) 16 (12).
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