Southern Districts are ready for potentially one of the games of the season when they host Randwick in their Shute Shield qualifying final on Saturday.
The Rebels booked a second place finish last weekend with a tight 36-34 win over Eastern Suburbs to set up their semi-final against the Galloping Greens who finished fifth.
Jake Douglas and Sean Doyle will return from unavailability for the clash at Foreshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania Waters, while Alex Perez has recovered from an elbow injury.
Randwick slipped from first to fifth in three weeks after losses to Warringah and Eastwood. Their last win came against the Rebels in round 16 when they edged Souths 28-24 at Foreshaw.
But Souths will take encouragement from their 23-20 win over Randwick at Coogee Oval in round 11.
The final round win over Easts – and subsequent second place finish – will also give the Rebels plenty of confidence.
Souths winger Ben Connolly scored two tries in the win at Woollahra Oval with halfback DeWet Roos, captain Marcus Carbone, Fili Tufui and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa all crossing.
Forwards Angus Ryan, Kieran Black and Michael Osmond were among the Rebels best as the Souths’ scrum dominated Easts despite giving away plenty of size.
The Shute Shield finals format has changed to a top six this season, with the three winners and highest ranked loser from the qualifying finals progressing through to the preliminary finals.
The Rebels’ fourth grade side will also be in action against minor premiers Eastern Suburbs, who they beat in the final round.
First grade kick-off on Saturday is at 3.10pm.