With the knock-out stage of the competition looming, the hosts know that only three wins will do if they want to maintain their hopes of finishing in the top three.

They are the worst placed of the teams vying for those play-offs – the Cobras currently have 12 points from seven games, three fewer than the Dolphins, who have played a game more, and four fewer than the Highveld Lions, their final match opponents.

“Every game at the moment is important for us, so we just need to make sure that we pitch up for each and every one of these games,” coach Paul Adams said. “Attitudes and efforts we give need to be at 100 percent.”

The Cobras beat the Dolphins by an emphatic seven wickets on Sunday and Adams believes that a victory like they managed in Durban showed what a dangerous team they are. “We all know what we’re capable of and I think Sunday’s game showed that,” he added.

“A win like that brings massive confidence. But we need to make sure we now build on that.

“Earlier in the competition, we beat the Warriors and then we were flat in the next game, so we need to be consistent as well.”

The Cobras are also bolstered by the return of Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy.

Bottom-placed opposition, the Knights, seem to have forgotten how to win. They are on a six-match losing streak after winning their opening match of the competition against the Cobras.

“We’ve got some pride to play for and that’s really the big thing for us now,” their coach Nicky Boje said. “It’s also a chance to give some of the younger players in the squad a chance to play and that’s what we’ll be doing.”

Marchant de Lange and Duanne Olivier have been left at home to play amateur cricket and ready themselves for a return to first-class cricket early in the new year, with Dillon du Preez and Corne Dry drafted in instead.

Leus du Plooy excelled on debut in the last game and is expected to hold on to his place. “There’s some individual guys raising their hands and that is important,” Boje added.