Expect the ground to shake and sparks to fly when two of the biggest bulls in EP's club rugby kraal lock horns in a bone-crunching top-of-the-table showdown at “Die Hok” in Kariega on Saturday.
A titanic duel is on the cards when front-runners Gardens and Harlequins go toe-to-toe in an EPRU Score Energy Drink Grand Challenge Top 12 encounter at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium.
Both teams enjoy playing adventurous rugby, and if the game lives up to expectations, the crowd can expect a thrilling encounter which could go down to the wire.
If the current form is used as a yardstick, the clash could be a dress rehearsal for the Top 12 grand final, which is scheduled to be played on October 18.
Despite their early dominance, neither Gardens nor Harlequins will be complacent heading into the latter stages of the competition.
The Top 12 outriders are aware that Progress (40 points), Park (37), Kruisfontein United (34) and Joubertina United (31) are ready to pounce if they take their foot off the pedal.
Gardens are expecting second-placed Harlequins to come out with all guns blazing in a bid to end their unbeaten streak
An indication of how well matched the sides are was provided when they played out a thrilling 15-15 draw in a first-round encounter at the Adcock Stadium in April.
Gardens are unbeaten in 12 outings and have set their sights on a double of the Grand Challenge and Ebrahim Patel Community Cup titles.
In what is developing into a tight race for supremacy, Gardens edged Despatch Oostelikes 22-17 and Harlequins thrashed Star of Hope 40-0 last week.
Harlequins were always in control against Star of Hope after they opened a commanding 21-0 halftime lead over the visitors from KwaNobuhle.
Progress will be looking to continue their strong start to the second round when they travel to Patensie to face United Barbarians.
Barbarians were trounced 50-7 by the NMU Madibaz in their last outing and will have to raise their game if they want to beat a Progress side who beat Joubertina United 33-16 last week.
After a 17-17 draw against Trying Stars in Alexandria, champions Kruisfontein are under pressure to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Next up for the Humansdorp outfit is a tough trip to Gqeberha to face an NMU Madibaz side who will be brimming with confidence after their runaway win over Barbarians.
Buoyed by a fighting display against Gardens, winless Oostelikes will enter their clash against Joubertina United with renewed hope.
Oostelikes ended strongly at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium and if they can build on that display, they may have an opportunity to end their losing streak.
They will, however, be up against a Joubertina side desperate for the points they need to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Park are hunting for a third consecutive win when they host Trying Stars at Londt Park.
Victory would bolster Park's position among the tip four clubs and keep their hopes of clinching a semifinal berth alive.
A hard-fought encounter is expected in Makhanda when mid-table teams Brumbies and Star of Hope collide.
Saturday's fixtures:
Top 12: Brumbies v Star of Hope, United Barbarians v Progress, Despatch Oostelikes v Joubertina United, Gardens v Harlequins, Park v Trying Stars, NMU Madibaz v Kruisfontein United. Outstanding matches: Progress v Harlequins (appeals), United Barbarians v Despatch Oostlikes (disciplinary committee), Gardens v Progress (inquiry).
Middle 12: Hankey Villagers v Police/Crusaders, Evergreens v Despatch, Missionvale v Jeffreys Bay, Kirkwood v Spring Rose, Motherwell v Kwaru, Central v African Bombers.
Bottom 12: Suburban v Helenvale, Middelburg Eagles v Lily White, Windvogel v Kareedouw Tigers, Orlando Eagles v St Mark's, Easterns v Adelaide Rangers, Aberdeen v Born Fighters.
Logs (with matches played):
Top 12: Gardens 53 (12), Harlequins 47 (12), Progress 40 (11), Park 37 (12), Kruisfontein United 34 (13), Joubertina 31 (12), Trying Stars 29 (13), Brumbies 27 (13), Star of Hope 24 (13), United Barbarians 15 (12), NMU Madibaz 11 (3), Despatch Oostleikes 4 (12).
Middle 12: Jeffreys Bay 57 (14), Kwaru 50 (14), Hankey Villagers 49 (14), Evergreens 46 (14), African Bombers 42 (14), Missionvale 41 (13), Kirkwood 35 (13), Motherwell 33 (14), Central 32 (12), Police/Crusaders 18 (14), Spring Rose 15 (14), Despatch 12 (12).
Bottom 12: Suburban 60 (14), Born Fighters 57 (14), Middelburg Eagles 47 (14), Helenvale 46 (14), Kareedouw Tigers 43 (14), Windvogel 34 (14), Orlando Eagles 32 (14), Lily White 32 (12), Aberdeen 27 (14), St Mark's 22 (14), Adelaide Rangers 19 (14), Easterns 10 (14).
The Herald
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