DURBAN - The Dolphins host the Titans in a vital Momentum One-Day Cup clash at Kingsmead on Sunday, with much to be gained with a full haul of points.
The Dolphins are still perched on top of the table, and they know that a win will almost certainly get them a home final to close out the season.
And yet, the team in front of them, the Titans, look as if they are peaking just at the right time, to make matters interesting in the run-in.
On paper, the men from Pretoria have one of the strongest squads in the country, and they are flexing their considerable muscle.
Their top order has been piling on the runs, and they are fresh off a 415 total against the Lions on Friday.
They also have a varied bowling line-up, and an experienced core, sprinkled with an exciting dose of youthful exuberance.
What makes their clash against the Dolphins interesting is that the men from Durban share almost exactly the same characteristics.
They too have a dangerous top three, who have been hurting bowling attacks with abandon.
It is terrifically set, and the trick will be for the pitch to encourage the shot-makers. Should that happen, we could be in for a repeat of the opening match of the competition, when the Dolphins went to Centurion and snatched a high-scoring encounter, thanks to a belligerent Robbie Frylinck.
There have been other heroes since then, and they will expect someone to put their hand up again.
The Cobras, meanwhile, host the Knights in the day's other match. The Knights are no doubt still hurting from their last-gasp defeat in Port Elizabeth on Friday, and they simply have to win to maintain their interest in the playoffs.
The Cobras are nearing the end of one of their toughest seasons ever, and Ashwell Prince is desperate to get more from an ageing squad in need of rejuvenation
The message of the Cobras skipper Andrew Puttick to his team members will surely be to take the game by the scruff of the neck and take responsibility by bowling the winning spell or by scoring the winning runs.
Puttick said his approach would be to have a calming influence on his team and, hopefully with Richard Levi, get the innings off to a good start.
Levi is struggling with a groin injury, while seamer Lizaad Williams’ participation is not certain yet, also due to injury. Both Levi and Williams will have to pass fitness tests if they are to be cleared to play against a team that is one of the strongest on paper in the competition.
The Cobras have opted for a number of all-rounders who can produce the goods with either bat or ball with Dayyaan Galiem, GF Linde and Rory Kleinveldt all likely to play.
Galiem is a swing bowler and a hard-hitting mid-order batsman, while Linde is a left-arm spinner but can also produce lusty blows with the blade to get his team over the line.
Puttick’s most important call might be before the match starts. If he wins the toss, Cobras fans can expect the left-handed opener to bat first.
The Titans scored 400/5 after winning the toss and batting first. The Warriors smashed 305/6 also after calling correctly and taking first strike in recent matches at Newlands.