The next fortnight of Fidelity Security Moor Cup fixtures have been given a massive boost with the news that certain contracted Sharks players, depending on their fitness and availability, will be released to represent their respective clubs. Among the players expected to be featuring this weekend are the likes of Kyle Cooper, Keegan Daniel, Odwa Ndungane, Lourens Adriaanse, Tonderai Chavhanga and Jacques Botes.

The standout fixture sees Jonsson College Rovers hosting the dangerous Nashua Durban Crusaders at KP3. The defending champions were shocked by Crusaders in their first round encounter so they will be wary of complacency. With Rovers currently second on the log on 35 points, they cannot afford any more slip ups in their pursuit of SA Home Loans Durban Collegians. Rovers will be boosted with the inclusion of Daniel and Cooper, the duo are set to add more quality to the defending champions' starting line-up.

Crusaders coach, Ronnie Uys is looking forward to this weekend's challenge and hoped that his promising forwards will be buoyed by coming up against the experienced Sharks' campaigners.

Uys said: "Our boys are up for it. Playing against the likes of Keegan and Kyle can only inspire the boys. We know it won't be an easy task but we showed our determination when we beat them in our first round encounter with them."

At Riverside, Varsity College will be hoping to overcome Amanzimtoti in what is expected to be a competitive affair. The hosts will be boosted by the inclusion of no less than four contracted players, among them, Odwa Ndungane, Jacques Botes, Khaya Majola and Franco Marais, while Toti are expected to field Lourens Adriaanse, Tera Mtembu and Tyler Fisher.

Toti's early season promise has diminished slightly in recent weeks and they will be hoping to get their campaign back to winning ways. With Varsity College sitting fifth on the log on 20 points - one point behind Toti - there will be little separating these teams. Varsity College coach Ian Adendorff was pleased that the contracted players were available. He also praised the humility shown by them and their eagerness to play club rugby.

He said: "It's very exciting to be coaching some of these professionals. I was surprised when Jacques rang me up earlier this week and expressed his eagerness to be playing this Friday. Odwa will also be a fantastic addition to the team so I hope we can make it count by erasing the disappointment of our first round defeat to them."

Elsewhere, SA Home Loans Collegians will start as firm favourites to grab all the points on offer when they host bottom of the log Zululand Rhinos. Collegians are boasting a one hundred percent record this season and are expected to have Francois Kleinhans available. They sit on top of the log with 37 points. Rhinos will be hoping that Danie Minnie and Wiehahn Hay will be a welcom boost to the Empangeni outfit.

There is also a huge Maritzburg derby taking place as FNB UKZN Impi entertain Ricoh Motswako Pmb Collegians. The form book counts for little when these two clash so expect fireworks in Maritzburg on Friday evening. Wiehahn Herbst should add some quality to Pmb Collegians' forward pack.

All Fidelity Security Moor Cup fixtures take place on Friday evening. The Collegians game kicks off at 20.30 with the remainder of the fixtures set for 20.00.

Ismail Adam