In the position in this case (8)
I believe the answer is:
instance
'this case' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'in the position' is the wordplay.
'the position' becomes 'stance' (stance is a kind of position).
'in'+'stance'='INSTANCE'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for instance that I've seen before include "Cite as an example" , "Case or example from ancients" , "Example or single occurrence of something" , "Exemplify" , "An insect (anag.)" .)