Captain Jon-Jon Smuts has reiterated the importance of the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants’ fixture against the Tshwane Spartans at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The Giants currently occupy third position in the tournament’s six-team standings, behind the first-placed Cape Town Blitz and second-placed Jozi Stars after four victories in eight attempts. Two of those four wins were recorded in Port Elizabeth.

‘Home games are always important and this next one is at home against the Tshwane Spartans, so that will be massive for us. I said at the start of the competition, if you can do well at home, it will hold you well for the tournament,’ said Smuts.

‘Hopefully we can get a win there and almost take off the pressure from the last game being a must-win one. Then we can go out, enjoy the last game and express ourselves. But all the teams will be thinking the same and there will be some upsets coming.

‘The first thing is you want is to be in the top three to give yourself a chance. If you can get a home semi-final or home final that will be massive. But I think if you asked anyone at the start of the competition, they’ll all tell you top three will be great.’

Spartans captain AB de Villiers, meanwhile, is keen to avenge the defeat suffered at the hands of the Giants earlier in the tournament.

‘We are up against one of the top sides in the tournament and we have some unfinished business with them after a close defeat last time,’ added De Villiers.

Photo: Gallo