Heat is on in Super 12 club competition

IT will be business as usual in the Eastern Cape Super 12 club rugby competition as things get heated up in the fifth round of the tournament and teams will give it their all for the number one position in their pools tomorrow.

Last week’s matches saw teams getting their footing, with the dominant teams in cruise mode at this stage of the competition.

Progress from Uitenhage have raised their hand as they have dominated all their games so far, while Breakers from Komani have not yet had a victory.

With the semifinals just around the corner, many are betting on a Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage derby.

Champions Gardens are sitting in second place with 11 points, behind log-leaders Spring Rose with 13 points.

Clashing at the New Brighton Oval Stadium (Epakeni) this week will be Spring Rose and Cambridge from East London.

The home side have had a boost in confidence from last week’s victory against Breakers and will be gunning for a win to secure their place at the top in their Group A pool.

Cambridge suffered a huge loss at home against Swallows last week, scoring only one try in that game.

The two sides will be meeting for the first time this season.

Spring Rose have decided to introduce speedy wing Reggain Biko into the starting lineup for this week’s combat.

Simphiwe Ntezo could watch this game from the sidelines should he fail his fitness test after injuring an ankle in last week’s game.

Cambridge will have no changes in this week’s squad as they believe the team had a good run in their last game.

Spring Rose head coach Tembekile Mntaba said: “The pressure is on for us now. One mistake could see our dreams fade with one match.”

“Gardens are right behind us on the log and we know how good they are.”

Cambridge president Patrick Dickinson said: “Playing away this weekend will certainly prove to be a challenge, but the guys are amped and ready to make the most of the game.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 3.30pm at the various venues in the province.