EP Elephants v Griquas - teams and predictions
FIRST-TIME WINNER: Two winless teams go head-to-head on Wednesday in a rescheduled match with a lot more at stake than you would expect of such lowly outfits.
The hosts, Eastern Province Elephants, have featured just twice since their return to South Africa’s top flight.
After shipping 141 points (through 10-87 and 24-54 losses) to the Bulls and Lions respectively, the Port Elizabeth-based outfit is in desperate need of a boost.
Coach Peter de Villiers, sifting through his sparse resources and making liberal use of club players, made nine changes this week.
However, he admitted that the union is in dire need of a big cash injection to find the caliber that could make them competitive in a first-class competition.
On Wednesday they host a team equally as desperate – but marginally better stocked – in a game moved forward from Saturday because of a fixtures mix-up at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Griquas, who failed to win any of the Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup games, showed remarkable resilience in going down 10-35 (to the Sharks in Durban) and 32-38 (to the Stormers in Kimberley).
De Villiers, in a desperate bid to boost his demoralised team, called on Springbok legend and EP hero Danie Gerber to hand out the team’s matchday jerseys.
It was a true honour for myself and the squad to have the @ep_elephants and @Springboks LEGEND, Danie Gerber to hand the team their match shirts today.#followtheherd pic.twitter.com/G77od4e1ST
— Peter de Villiers (@CoachPdV) March 16, 2021
However, the loss of players like Siyakubonga Nzuzo (neck), Arnold Kleyn (concussion) and Cyril-John Velleman (concussion) is not aiding his cause.
Velleman’s absence means that Diego Williams will start at flank, while Mncedisi Dlwengu will take the place of Kleyn at lock and Marzuq Maarman replaces Nzuzo at prop.
The pack will also see Robin Stevens and Lumpumlo Mguca making their way to the starting XV with Sithembiso Befile and Emile Klaassen moving to the bench.
In the backline, captain Courtney Winnaar moves from fullback to flyhalf. Winnaar was the standout performer during the defeat to the Lions, he replaces Karlo Aspeling.
Keano Vers gets a shot at fullback with Riaan Arends and Christopher Hollis completing the back three.
Richman Gora comes it as the new scrumhalf.
De Villiers said Aspeling didn’t do anything wrong, but that Winnaar “offers more” on attack.
Griquas coach Scott Mathie made seven changes – the most significant at flyhalf – with injured captain George Whitehead replaced by former SA Schools flyhalf Tinus de Beer.
Recent recruit Stefan Ungerer takes over the captaincy.
Mathie, who bemoaned his team’s poor defence against the Stormers, said he expects a motivated Elephants outfit.
“We know they compete hard at the breakdowns,” the Griquas coach said, adding: “They will produce a lot of energy, especially at home.
“We will need to be very direct and clinical,” Mathie added.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Griquas by nine points
Teams
EP Elephants: 15 Keanu Vers, 14 Riaan Arends, 13 Athi Mayinje, 12 Sherwin Slater, 11 Christopher Hollis, 10 Courtney Winnaar (captain), 9 Richman Gora, 8 Zingisa April, 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Diego Williams, 5 Mncedisi Dlwengu, 4 Athenkosi Khetani, 3 Lumpumlo Mguca, 2 Robins Stevens, 1 Marzuq Maarman.
Replacements: 16 Sithembiso Befile, 17 Lyle Lombard, 18 Emile Klaassen, 19 Ronald Scheckle, 20 Bevin Prinsloo, 21 Athi Manentsa, 22 Josh Alderman, 23 Josiah Twum-Boafo.
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 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Replacements – from: 16 Hendrick 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, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Phumzile Mbewu, Sean Muller
TMO: Christie du Preez
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