The Leopards are geared for a physical battle when they tackle the Eastern Province Elephants on Saturday in round five of the SA Cup.

The Leopards have renewed confidence after beating the Border Bulldogs 57-15 last week for their first win, while EP will go to Potchefstroom looking to bounce back from their 59-26 defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The Leopards made two changes to their pack with Wihan Nel and Chris Vermaak coming in to bolster their lineout and break down.

The coach, Matt Proudfoot, told OFM Sport that setpiece battle will be important.

“They are probably going to be the heaviest pack that we're going to play, so that's going to be a tremendous challenge for us at scrum time,” said Proudfoot.

“Scrummaging is something that takes time, and I've gone back down to basics with the front row. “I've been making sure that their routines are good, making sure that their bind, their processes and stability is good.

“The are going to be under the physical pump and I don't want them to go back to old habits and concede penalties.”

Saturday's game at Olën Park kicks off at 15:00.

Leopards - 15 André Grobler, 14 Keenan Twigg, 13 Simo Tshontyi, 12 Tjaart Benade, 11 Gilroy Philander, 10 Marius Viviers, 9 Dok Cupido, 8 HP Swart, 7 Kwezi Mafu (captain), 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Mncedisi Dlwengu, 4 Wihan Nel, 3 Kowie Roos, 2 Jordan McLoughlin, 1 Ruben du Plessis

Replacements - 16 Cohen Wortley, 17 Hendri van der Westhuizen, 18 Christo Willemse, 19 Azola Mati, 20 Buhle Qaba, 21 Francois Bezuidenhout, 22 Sanele Zungu, 23 Christiaan Gates

Morgan Piek OFM Sport