The last time the Warriors played the Titans in a four-day match at Buffalo Park it turned into an absolutely thrilling occasion that saw the home team snatch the win off the final two balls of the game.
A similar encounter could be in store when the two sides go head to head in their Cricket South Africa four-day franchise series match at the ground, kicking off on Friday morning.
In that previous match, in March last year, the second on the log, Warriors had gone into the game against the table topping Titans gunning for the win and top spot on the log. It was captain Jon Jon Smuts who delivered after the Titans looked to have saved a draw.
With Chris Morris having brought up his century and on strike with just two balls remaining, no one would have expected Smuts to remove him and then last man Tabraiz Shamsi for a first ball duck to seal an exhilarating win.
This season’s match sees a completely different context, however, as last season saw two in-form teams battling it out, while this time it is two sides who have not played their best cricket taking each other on.
The Warriors sit bottom of the log, heading into their final four games, while the Titans are fourth, and both teams will be desperate for a win.
“Obviously we have had a few results that have not gone our way so far this season. We have probably played good cricket in glimpses and in patches, but not consistent enough like we were last season. But we have four games left and we are going to try and win,” said Smuts.
“That starts with the Titans here in East London this weekend and hopefully we can repeat the same result we got last year, but not in as dramatic scenes.
“We have had some really exciting games this season. Our last match against the Cobras went down to the wire and into the last session, so we are ready for another close one.”
This will be the Warriors’ first match of the current season at Buffalo Park, after their first six games saw half played at St George's and half away from home, and they will be hoping for good fortunes at a ground where they have enjoyed considerable success.
The team could see a few changes for this weekend’s clash, with a number of Border players in the mix, including Sithembile Langa, Aya Gqamane and Basheer Walters.
“Everyone is fit and ready to go. We have a good squad here and have included a number of Border guys in it that know the conditions well,” said Smuts.
“The Titans have a really good squad. Probably by their standards they will feel they haven't played their best cricket this season as well, but we all know with them they are going to come out and play some good cricket and try win the game.”
Play will start at 10am on Friday morning.
Warriors squad:
Gihahn Cloete, Eddie Moore, Colin Ackermann, Yaseen Vallie, Jon Jon Smuts, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesiba Ngoepe, Clyde Fortuin, Simon Harmer, Basheer Walters, Sithembile Langa, Glenton Stuurman, Aya Gqamane..