CENTURION (South Africa) - Peter Kirsten has sent Northerns batsmen another bonus points challenge, this one against Free State, as the countdown to a place in the A Section final still beckons the Titans.

And he believes Northerns have the batsmen who can deliver the goods, although five batting points is more than just an extra step or two up the Magaliesberg. It is a lot further than they have managed so far this summer where two batting points has been the norm.

As the news on Quentin Still's injury is not as serious as it first seemed and there is now a good chance he will play, it as a lower-middle order batsman and left-arm spinner, Kirsten advanced a number of arguments yesterday why Northerns still had a chance to making it to the final.

One is that Border, who at present have the log lead and as such have home venue advantage when the final is held should they retain that position, will not be too keen to relinquish that position when they tackle Western Province in the last round of the SuperSport Series which starts tomorrow.

Border have performed remarkably well this season, coming unstuck just the once, but have started losing their way in recent games, dropping batting points and their bowling attack has revolved very much around Vasbert Drakes, who has bagged a remarkable 48 wickets this A Section season. To lose to Province means they would lose hosting the final.

For Province, who have come with a dash in recent weeks, Craig Matthews' side also need to maintain their pressure, but as both sides might be a little cautious in their approach to this outing, they might not collect the bonus points needed to stay one step ahead of Northerns.

``They have as much to play for as we do,'' agreed Kirsten.

Then of course there is the other challenge. This one comes from Eastern Province who are level in terms of points with Northerns and meet Natal at St George's Park where no doubt, with Meyrick Pringle, Mornantau Hayward and Eldine Baptiste in the side, a green top is likely to be prepared.

``Life's all about challenges and in this case we have to make the most of those opportunities,'' he said.

``But for an lbw decision (Mike Rindel) and a run out (Quentin Ferreira) we might have picked up the two extra batting bonus points needed to get us where we are hoping to finish - second,'' he added.

Northerns have not changed their squad although Gift Pedi has been brought into the side to give the experience needed for next season and should Still be ruled out later today or tomorrow, Pierre de Bruyn is likely to find his way into the side with Grant Morgan opening the innings.

Free State are leaving nothing to chance after their victory by 17 runs over Boland lifted them clear of the lower rungs and, no doubt on the result of Northerns game against Natal have included five quicks and seamers. They could be in for a surprise as to get the required batting points Northerns have to bat on a surface where runs can be scored and the 350 target which the coach has set the Titans is attainable.

The only side to score a 300-plus first innings total at Centurion this season was Gauteng in a game heavily affected by rain.

Teams

Northerns (from): Deon Jordaan, Grant Morgan, Gerald Dros, Martin van Jaarsveld, Mike Rindel, Dirkie de Vos, Quentin Still, Quentin Ferreira, Mark Davis (capt), Greg Smith, David Townsend, Pierre de Bruyn, Gift Pedi.

Free State: Gerhardus Liebenberg (capt), Botea Dippenaar, Morne van Wyk, Jonathan Beukes, Kosie Venter, Louis Wilkinson, Adrian Gait, Herman Bakkes, Sarel Cilliers, Johan van der Wath, Mike Hoggard, Dewald Pretorius