Griquas dread the big drop

It may be too early to speak of 'survival mode' just yet, but Griquas coach Pote Human is well aware of the implications of another defeat.

Having opened their account with three defeats - an away loss to the Bulls and then twice at home, to Western Province and the Free State Cheetahs - they are stuck at foot of the table, five points behind the fifth-place Province team.

And with promotion-relegation looming - against the First Division champions - being the lowest ranked team in the Currie Cup competition is not a position any side want to be in.

"There is lots of pressure on us," Human told this website in an interview ahead of Griquas trip to Johannesburg and an encounter with the defending champions, the Golden Lions.

"We are still without a win and now we head to Ellis Park, which is even tougher," the coach added.

The biggest problem for Griquas is that they have been competitive in the first half of every game, only to fall off the pace after the break.

Against the Cheetahs last week they were leading 10-3 up to the 39th minute and was level 10-all at the break. They lost 16-29. The week before, against WP they held a 7-0 lead up to the 39th minute and it was 7-all at the break, then the men from Kimberley lost 20-25.

"Some harsh words were spoken," admitted Human, adding: "The players realise they have to take responsibility.

"We can't afford to just play for 40 minutes ... we have to be up for it for the full 80 minutes."

He admitted that the possibility of being relegated if they finish last is a factor in driving the team in the weeks to come.

"If we want to stay in the Currie Cup Premier Division we have to start winning now ... it is non-negotiable," the coach told this website.

"They have to understand that it is a privilege to play in the Premier Division - we are one of the top six and we want to stay here.

"It is the responsibility of the players, for Griquas and their own futures, to ensure that we stay up.

"If Griquas don't make the cut, then next year they play in the second division.

"That makes it tougher for them to play Super Rugby [with the Cheetahs]."

Human revealed that replacement prop Janro van Niekerk injured his shoulder in the loss to the Cheetahs and probably won't be available.

"We are still awaiting the results of a scan, but it looks unlikely [that he'll play]."

There is some good news for the Kimberley outfit, with Marnitz Schoeman and Edwin Hewitt both available and fit to play this weekend.

By Jan de Koning