The Eagles are currently fifth in the standings on 24 points and can still make the semi-finals, but will need a full-house of points against Wits, while they will also be relying heavily on a favour or two from some of the other teams.

The Eagles captain, Sampie Swiegers, told OFM Sport that tonight is their most important game of the campaign and for them it’s a matter of controlling what they can.

“It is a very important game for us. It's probably our most important game of the season. It's going to be a good battle and game of rugby.

“Five-points is what we are going to work for and what we are going to achieve through hard work and sticking to our processes.

“Hopefully that will be enough as we can't control anything else.”

Kick-off on Monday evening at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds is at 19:00. At the same time the log-leading Shimlas tackle the Madibaz away and the Ikeys host the Ixias.

NWU Eagles – 15 Heinrich Botha, 14 Pienaar van Niekerk, 13 Theunis Pretorius, 12 Isrome Phatudi, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Martin Venter, 9 Sylvester Hassien, 8 André Fouché, 7 Kagiso Woodbridge, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Ruben Dreyer, 4 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 3 Sampie Swiegers (captain), 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ruben du Plessis.

Replacements - 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Jason Jansen, 18 Xongani Ngobeni, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Gustav Erlank, 21 Riaan Genis, 22 Nivan Petersen, 23 Keenan Twigg.

Wits – 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Gerswin Mouton, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Thando Ngcelwane, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Alexander Skudder, 5 Edward White, 4 Kyle van Eyssen, 3 Ebot Buma (captain), 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Jason Cloete.

Replacements - 16 Dagan Meuwese, 17 Prince Mulea, 18 Franco Groenewald, 19 Franz Gerber, 20 Ziyanda Msipha, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Keagan Lailvaux, 23 Siyabonga Xulu.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport