The Dolphins will be determined to fix their position at the top of the table when they take on a resurgent Lions in the only Sunfoil match of the week.

After a high-scoring draw against the Knights last weekend, the Dolphins edged above the Titans by just 1.11 points, and they realise the importance of the 10 points a win in Pietermaritzburg, starting Thursday, will bring to their cause.

And amid unsettled weather, the Lions, now in fifth place 10 points behind, too can target the top place.

Just under 20 points separate top and bottom-placed Cape Cobras.

Dolphins coach Grant Morgan wants his side to focus solely on their processes in this game. ‘Everything can change very quickly,’ he said. ‘We can drop from first to fifth in one match, so we’re not looking at that. We’re looking at doing the small things well and hopefully that will help us achieve the desired result.’

We don’t want to be afraid of losing and we don’t want to think of the things that can go wrong, but we rather want to think of what can go right,’ he said. ‘It’s all about having the right mindset.’

The Dolphins will be without Andile Phehlukwayo for the clash as he moves on to national duty. But Test star Keshav Maharaj is back after his impressive exploits with the Proteas.

The Lions too will be without some key men. Mangaliso Mosehle is also with the South Africa team, while Hardus Viljoen is ruled out with a groin problem, but Stephen Cook is back and will captain the team.

The Gauteng franchise have also recruited Beuran Hendricks on loan and he is likely to feature in the match.