March 18 - For the Golden Lions their Vodacom Cup match against the Griffons in Welkom on Friday night is of the greatest importance. They simply have to garnish five log points to ensure that they at least keep up with the leaders or perhaps even improve their position on the log, where they are three behind early leaders Blue Bulls.

The Lions, despite going down to the Blue Bulls last weekend, are getting there as a unit.

The continuity from the coaches in their team selection is another plus, and while nothing is to be taken for granted in this competition, a big win over a disappointing Griffons side is undoubtedly within their reach.

Last year’s one set of semi-finalists, the Blue Bulls and the Platinum Leopards, again clash at Loftus in a Vodacom Cup match which is of particular importance to the Leopards, who faltered against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.

The Blue Bulls showed that they are a class side – and the Leopards were also quite impressive in trouncing the Valke 59-8 last weekend. It should be remembered that the Lions trailed the Valke at the break in their game before winning 34-14, and that puts the Leopards win and ability in perspective.

• The clash between the defending champions Griquas, who will be at home against the Pumas, is another important match in the North Section that again seems stronger than the competition provided in the South Section.

The Pumas gave the Blue Bulls a hard time before going down, and their pack will tax the Griquas side to the full before they can bank any points.

• One of the matches of the weekend should be the Boland Cavaliers’ clash with the Pampas XV. Boasting 76 Argentinean caps among them, the Pampas have not yet lost and Loffie Eloff’s Cavaliers will have to be focussed to keep up their record where a lone loss defies the strength of this new-look team with a new-look urgency.

• At home the SWD will take the Sharks XV to the wire – and it will come as no surprise if the George-based team keeps up with the leaders.

• At home the Free State should have too much firepower for Eastern Province, while the Welwitchias in Windhoek should have the beating of the Valke who are again destined for a winless competition.

• One simply cannot see the Border Bulldogs, with one decent close loss to their name, beating Western Province at Newlands on Saturday and WP should keep up their log challenge with a fiver.

The weekend’s fixtures are:

• Friday March 19 (home teams first): Free State v EP, 3.45pm; Griquas v Pumas, 4pm; Boland Cavaliers v Pampas XV, 4.30pm; Blue Bulls v Platinum Leopards, 5.05pm; Welwitchias v Valke, 7pm; Griffons v Golden Lions, 7pm.

• Saturday March 20: WP v Border Bulldogs, 2.30pm; SWD v Sharks XV, 4pm.