Griquas lose their captain ahead of EP Elephants clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas made seven changes to their starting team to face Eastern Province in their preparation series match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday, where they will be hoping to secure their first win.

The changes up-front sees Tijde Visser pack down at tighthead prop, while Ewan Coetzee replaces Mzwanele Zito at lock, and Gideon van der Merwe takes over at flank, which sees Carl Els move to the back of the scrum.

There were also three personnel changes in the backline where former SA Schools flyhalf Tinus de Beer gets a run in place of the experienced George Whitehead, and wings Enver Brandt and Daniel Kasende take over from Eduan Keyter and Ederies Arendse respectively.

Whitehead's unavailability, due to injury, means Stefan Ungerer will take over the captaincy from his halfback partner.

Both teams are still winless in 2021, with Griquas having gone down against the Stormers and Sharks, while the Elephants suffered defeats against the Lions and Bulls.

Griquas: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Ewan Coetzee, 3 Tijde Visser, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Mox Mxoli.

Replacements - from: 16 HJ Luus, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Adre Smith, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 Johnathan Francke, 23 James Verity-Amm, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Raegan Oranje, 26 Harlon Klaasen.

Date: Wednesday, March 17

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: Phumzile Mbewu, Sean Muller

TMO: Christie du Preez