The Griquas weren’t able to secure a single victory last year in the Super Rugby Unlocked or the Currie Cup, while in the Kick-off series this year, they are also still winless.

The Elephants have experienced a torrid time since making a return to top-flight rugby, and this Peacock Blues will want to take advantage of this.

Griquas coach, Scott Mathie, told OFM Sport that a solid performance will be very important.

“The next two games will be important for us, this one especially.

“We do want to get a good performance under the belt and get that win.

“The performance is obviously the most important thing for us.

“We can judge ourselves more on that, and if we can do that we will get what we want out of the game.”

Meanwhile, former Junior Springbok scrumhalf, Stefan Ungerer, will be taking over the captaincy of the Griquas for the remaining games in the series.

This comes after the flyhalf and regular captain, George Whitehead, broke his collarbone during last week’s 38-32 defeat to the Stormers in Kimberley. The move of Zak Burger to the Bulls has also necessitated the change of captaincy.

Ungerer has previously led the Southern Kings during the PRO14.

Mathie confirmed that Ungerer will take the reins of the team, despite having only played two games for the team to date.

“With George out injured, Stefan Ungerer, will step up into the captaincy role.

“I think that he has got a wealth of experience and he has added some massive value to our leadership since coming in here, so he will take over the reins in that respect.”

Wednesday night’s game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

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

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

@Morgan Piek OFM Sport