This weekend`s match at GWK Park which has been changed to the later starting time of 5.00p.m, is all important for the home side as they must at all costs, win, against the Boland Cavaliers to retain, and possibly improve their position on the log. With some very tough games to be played in the next few weeks, and with all, except their game against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at home, they will have to play with renewed effort if they don`t want to end up near the bottom of the log at the end of the season.

Coach, Dawie Theron, in the weekly media meeting, has opted to field a very similar team to the one that beat the Valke so convincingly two weeks ago. He believes that if they keep to their game plan; keeping their game tight, making first time tackles count, slow or speed the game up when they need to, retain the ball through as many phases as necessary and play thinking rugby, they will frustrate their opposition who are known to be opportunists and like a bit of loose ball which they are known to capitalise on. “Deny the opposition the ball and you can command the game”, is how he sees Griquas playing this weekend.

The weather could also play a large part in the game as the forecast is for hot (31 degrees), windy and dry conditions which should suite the home side better than the visitors although it will probably make it a lot tougher for both. The later start (5.00p.m.) is to compensate for the predicted weekend weather and hopefully that the predicted conditions would have at least improved later in the afternoon.

Its good to see that Barry Geel will be in the starting lineup this weekend and Jaco Becker is on the bench, both are returning after injuries, unfortunately Lafras Uys will be off for a few weeks with a shoulder injury and Gavin Passens is still battling with his knee, as is Albertus Buckle with a niggling shoulder. Good news is that both Naas Olivier who has a good chance of being on the bench this weekend and Frans Viljoen`s broken arm is healing nicely and he will also be back as early as next week.

Let`s hope that we can play as positive a game as we have seen in the last 2 weeks and come out the victors this weekend, if we play to our full potential and keep to the basics, we should do just that.

Here is the side for Saturday`s game:

1. Regardt Dreyer, 2. Hans van Dyk, 3. Bees Roux, 4. Wayne van Heerden, 5. Brendon Snyman, 6. Gareth Krause (Capt), 7. Stephan Gerber, 8. Heinrich Stride, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 10. Conrad Barnard, 11. MJ Mentz, 12. Herkie Kruger, 13. Barry Geel, 14. Bjorn Basson, 15. Riaaan Viljoen.

Replacements: 16. James van der Walt, 17.Ruaan du Preez,

18. Rohan Kitshoff, 19. Jacques Lombard, 20. Tobie Botes,

21 Jaco Bekker and 22. Naas Olivier