The Bankfin Cup, where the also-rans in this year's Currie Cup competition will try to save some face after not making the grade to the Top Eight, kicks off on Friday with an interesting battle between the Mighty Elephants and Vodacom Bulldogs.

There is not a lot of love lost between the neighbours from the Sunshine Coast. Even more is at stake this time around because they start the Bankfin Cup as log leaders. The Elephants are setting the pace with 10 points, while the Bulldogs are breathing in their necks with nine.

A win should basically secure a place in the semifinals and therefore a fierce battle is expected. Both teams narrowly missed out on Top Eight participation in the last weekend of the Currie Cup's league phase and they are still hurting. Friday night's game is a chance to prove to their supporters that they are up there with the best.

Elephants captain Chad Alcock is adamant his team will give their home supporters reason to turn up. "We will play positive rugby with the main purpose of scoring tries. We are on a winning streak at Telkom Park and want to retain that."

Bulldogs coach Kobus van der Merwe is bullish about his charges' prospects: "We are ready to play. What happened is history and we have a new focus. We always battle to play well at Telkom Park, but we are determined to change that on Friday. With the huge pressure of qualifying gone, the guys can go out and enjoy themselves on the field."

With Sharks Super 12 coach Rudolph Straeuli certain to study a video of this game with the eye on spotting talent for next year's campaign, a lot is indeed at stake on Friday.

Teams for Telkom Park:

Mighty Elephants: Ricardo Loubscher; Henry Pedro, Ronnie Fourie, Rhys Botha, Wonga Joka; Andre Fourie, Chad Alcock (capt); Jacques Greeff, Johan de Kock, Barry Pinnock, Gerhard Laufs, Chrisjan van der Westhuysen, Danie Saayman, Vorster Venter, JC Roux. Substitutes: Tom Drewett, Dekado Jantjies, Nelis Swart, Jonathan Staples, Albert Viljoen, Fanie Heymans, Andries Fourie.

Vodacom Bulldogs: Greg Miller, David Maidza, Fergus Kennedy, Werner Coetzer, Ian Fihlani, Hein van Vuuren, Josh Fowles, Pietie Loots, Sam Hatting/David de Kock/Robert Rushmere, Andre Fox, Phillip Schutte, Tjaart Coetzee, Tjoepie van den Heever, Heinrich Kok. Substitutes: Owen Nkumane, Thinus Cronje, Reon Kockjeu, Joe van Deventer, Dale Heidtmann, Vasile Nako.

Referee: Andy Turner.

Kick-off: 19:00.

The embattled Mr Price Blue Bulls square up to a Falcons team intent on putting one over them at Johann van Riebeeck Stadium at Welkom on Saturday.

The Bulls are the big casualty of this year's new Currie Cup format and on and off the field upheavals haven't done their cause much good. Outgoing coach Eugene van Wyk has a big battle on his hands motivating his charges for this low-key game.

Falcons coach Phil Pretorius believes his side should count among the top six teams in the country. His charges would love to prove him right on Saturday against a team with big names like Ruben Kruger, Joost van der Westhuizen, Naka Drotske, Anton Leonard and Os du Randt.

Pretorius said he was trying to lift his team's spirit after the defeat against the Kavaliers last Friday. "To descend to the last six so quickly is certainly not nice. But we have to be up for the game, because the Bulls are a good side and you can never underestimate them. It's just not their year, but they still have 10 Boks in the side."

The Bulls - if their hearts are in it - should leave Brakpan as comfortable winners.

Teams for Johann van Riebeeck Stadium:

Mr Price Blue Bulls: Casper Steyn; McNeil Hendricks, Jacques Olivier, Danie van Schalkwyk, Brendell Brandt; Franco Smith, Joost van der Westhuizen; Danie Rossouw, Anton Leonard, Ruben Kruger (capt), Draadkar de Lange, Derick Grobbelaar, Piet Boer, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt. Substitutes: George van der Walt, Christo Bezuidenhout, Pierre Ribbens, Wium Basson, Norman Jordaan, Hannes Venter, Marius Goosen.

Falcons team: Joe Esterhuizen; Tertius Douw, Etienne Botha, Eugene Meyer (capt), Adrian Jacobs; Pieter Jordaan, Freddie Roberts; Jean Pieters, Stephan Britz, Jaco Booysen, Nico Wegner, Bakkies Botha, Jaco Espag, Danie van der Walt, Gunder Williamson. Substitutes: Piet Matthys, Peet van Deventer, Deon de Kock, Kurt Steinbach, Bertus Heunis, Lawrence Sephaka, Skipper Badenhorst.

Referee: Johan Meuwesen (EP).

Kick-off: 15:00.

The Leopards team will be without four key players in their starting line-up for their match against the Griffons in Welkom on Saturday.

Werner Lessing will captain the team since Basil de Coening is still nursing his injury. Both teams have struggled this season and after the Lions thumped them at Ellis Park last week, the Griffons would look for a much-improved performance.

Teams for North West Stadium:

Leopards: Len van Riet; Julian Ruiters, Johan Calitz, Rudi Muller, Keith Meyer, Roland de Marigny, Francois van Rensburg; Johan Smith, Bloues Volschenk, Bertus Pool, Werner Lessing (capt), Casper Oosthuizen, Sampie Hendriks, Hennie Pieterse, Hannes Human. Substitutes: Nico van Rensburg, Duitser Bosman, Gustav Jafta, Willem Stoltz, Wimpie Jonker, Ian Noble, Nico Rohrs.

Griffons: Johnny Burger; Skollie de Jager, Albertus van Buuren, Rouan Nel, Jacques Juries; Eric Herbert, Charl Blom (capt); Jacques Gouws, Ricardo Arnolds, Marcel van der Walt, Bani Holtzhausen, Neil Goosen, Frans Botes, Lucas van Biljon, Kees Lenseng. Substitutes: Kobie Appelgryn, Leonard van der Merwe, Kevin Rabie, Thys Louw, Zoy Edwards, Malcolm Malan, Jacques Steyn.

Referee: Marius Franken (GW).

Kick-off: 15:00.