Harlequins will have the scent of blood in their nostrils when they bid to topple Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby champions Kruisfontein United at the Adcock Stadium on Saturday.
Though Kruisfontein have yet to lose a Top 12 match this season, they have not been in the rampant form of previous years when they enjoyed an aura of invincibility.
Harlequins will be searching for chinks in Kruisfointein's armour and will be ready to pounce if the Humansdorp side fail to bring their A game to Gqeberha.
Kruisfontein are fourth on the log, 15 points after four outings, and Harlequins occupy fifth place (14 points) but have played one game more than the Humansdorp outfit.
The champions are still searching for their best form after a poor showing at the Saldanha Super 8 Easter tournament, when they lost all three matches they played.
Harlequins will be able to count on the unwavering support of a big home crowd expected to flock to the Adcock Stadium to watch an eagerly awaited sixth-round contest.
Kruisfontein have endured a few scares in the opening rounds of the Grand Challenge.
They have, however, managed to maintain an unbeaten record and they can expect Harlequins to push them all the way in what will be a bruising contest.
After starting with a 39-34 win over Star of Hope, Kruisfontein scored a notable 10-7 win over EC Super 14 champions Progress at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp.
In their next outing, the champions were held to a 10-10 draw by Joubertina United before they scraped to an 18-17 win over Trying Stars last weekend.
After a 20-12 defeat against Brumbies in the third round, Harlequins have been building up a head of steam thanks to wins over Despatch Oostelikes and Star of Hope in their next two outings.
One of the key players in the Kruisfontein side will be livewire scrumhalf Breyton Costello, who will be keen to put his team on the front foot.
After getting back on the winning track with a 31-24 win over Joubertina United last week, log-leaders Progress face a tough match against Star of Hope at the Central Field in Kariega.
The much-needed win came after Progress slumped to a shock 23-21 home defeat against Brumbies at the Central Field two weeks ago.
Gardens will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches when they face United Barbarians at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Kariega.
In their last outing, Gardens beat Despatch Oostelikes 24-14 at the Daleview Sports Field in Despatch.
It was a fifth straight loss for Oostelikes, who are facing a tough battle to avoid relegation to the lower Middle 12 division.
In round six Oostelikes travel to Londt Park to face a Park team who were beaten by Gardens and Brumbies in the past two outings.
Park will be desperate to pocket the log points on offer in this game to improve their position on the log.
A fierce clash is expected in Alexandria when Trying Stars face Brumbies in a game expected to produce a spectacle of running rugby.
The NMU Madibaz will play their first game in the Top 12 after completing their commitments in the Varsity Shield competition.
Their opening game is away against Joubertina United.
Saturday's fixtures (all 3.30pm):
Top 12: Progress v Star of Hope, Harlequins v Kruisfontein United, Trying Stars v Brumbies, Park v Despatch Oostelikes, Gardens v United Barbarians, Joubertina United v NMU Madibaz.
Middle 12: Motherwell v Hankey Villagers, Kirkwood v Evergreens, Kwaru v Missionvale, African Bombers v Jeffreys Bay, Police/Crusaders v Despatch, Spring Rose v Central.
Bottom 12: Easterns v Suburban, Orlando Eagles v Middelburg Eagles, Adelaide Rangers v Windvogel, Born Fighters v Kareedouw Tigers, Helenvale v Lily White, St Marks v Aberdeen.
The Herald
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