Ospreys are the first of the four Welsh regions to enter the last chance saloon when they kick-off their South African safari with a clash with the Sharks in Durban on Friday night.
Head coach Mark Jones is the first to admit that it is going to take two wins - against the Sharks and then against the Lions in Johannesburg - to keep alive his side’s hopes of reaching the play-offs for the second season in a row.
Jones’ side currently find themselves three points off the top eight in 11th with two games to go.
The Sharks are bidding for a home quarter-final, in fourth, and have won three of their last four games.
They pipped both Edinburgh and Ulster on the road in their last two outings.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with the team that defeated Ulster 22-19 in Belfast two weeks ago.
He has made three changes, one enforced, as Dian Bleuler comes in at prop for Ox Nche, who is ill, Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at No 10 and Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre.
The Sharks need just three points from their final two games against Ospreys and Scarlets to guarantee a home quarter final.
Their side will be led by Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth and also contains World Cup winners in Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi.
“We have given ourselves a chance to qualify, but it is a difficult task. We know we probably need two wins to make it and we recognise the challenge that is in front of us,” said Jones.
READ MORE: Mark Jones Warns Ospreys To Expect Cardiff Players To Rise In Shop Window
“We have prepared well and we are simply focussing on ourselves. South Africa is a great place to tour and we are all excited at the prospect of playing the Sharks in Durban and the Lions in Johannesburg.
“They will probably both be five –point games because to win them we’ll need to score four tries.
That’s what happens when you play against the best teams and we want to put our best performance out on the pitch.”
Justin Tipuric hasn’t been able to travel with the squad but could be available should his teammates do the business without him and qualify for the knock-out phase.
“The fact there could be a final game for Tips to play in if we qualify for the quarter finals will be in the back of the minds of the players. It would be fantastic to give him a final few outings in an Ospreys shirt before he transitions fully into coaching next season,” added Jones.
“There have been lots of occasions this season when we have had to dig deep and we just want to give it our best shot and see where that takes us.”
READ MORE: Mark Jones Concedes The Ospreys Dropped Their Euro Standards When It Mattered Most
The Ospreys are likely to be in transit between Johannesburg and Durban when the British and Irish Lions squad is announced on Thursday afternoon.
Two of their players have realistic call-up ambitions - flanker Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake.
Jones added:” I think they could massively thrive. The age profile of them, how thirsty they are to get better is evident to us on a daily basis.
"But I think going in around more people of that level, who think the same but have maybe been on tours before or have won trophies, that'll be incredible learning.
"You'll have a whole lot of growth out of those conversations. Different coaches and a different tour, it's packed with games.
"It can be a real challenge for a player, but I think they'll thrive in that environment. They'll only become better for it.
"I'm sure those boys will have been part of discussions by the Lions coaches. I'm sure of that, from their international performances and Ospreys performances.
"Hopefully there'll be one or two more considered, too. Fingers crossed we've got some exciting news to celebrate.
"It'll be a nerve-wracking time for those boys who think they're in the reckoning. No player ever thinks they're guaranteed. It's such a high-quality crop of players vying for those roles.
Those guys will be nervous. They'll want to go. We've had a conversation about that, how we handle it either way. We're ready for it.
"Hopefully we'll be somewhere where everyone can enjoy it together and make it a moment to remember."
READ MORE: Mark Jones Calls For “Next Level” As Ospreys Eye Historic European Semi-Final
