The match will come at the same time Illawarra travel south to play Shoalhaven at Hayden Drexel Oval, with the two winners to face off in Sunday's 50-over final.

While many are gearing up for a South Coast-Illawarra showdown in the decider, Richards knows that won't happen if his team does not play at their best on Saturday.

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"We have to take it one step at a time," Richards said. "We don't want to think too far ahead.

"Our main focus is getting a positive result against Highlands, and then we'll go from there."

With the South Coast first grade competition taking the weekend off, Richards has the association's best players at his disposal for the representative tournament.

The Creighton Cup forms the primary selection trial for the Greater Illawarra Country Championships squad.

With the likes of Brett and Kieran Gilly, Kerrod and Brendan White and Alex Brown in the squad, the captain is confident they can topple the Illawarra if the two sides clash in a final.

"There's always been that rivalry with the Illawarra, it's healthy and good for the game. It's deep-rooted between the two zones, we respect them as opposition and they have some good cricketers.

"Weather permitting, we've got the team to get the job done. We will have to be at our best, Illawarra have some good cricketers and all it takes is one or two good performances to swing a game."