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Fabian Pietersen - experienced captain of Klein Nederburg

Captain's profile

In Saturday's FNB Classic Clash in Paarl, Fabian Pietersen will be playing will be playing in his fourth derby against New Orleans. It remains a big day.

When Klein Nederburg won 14-12 in 2002 it was a great day for the school and the team, their first victory over near-neighbours and great rivals after four years of defeats. But in 2003 New Orleans were back winning.

Fabian says: "It is a tough match every year. Throughout the year we have great friends at New Orleans but when the derby approaches friendships cool."

For the whole of the week before the derby the only thought is rugby. The week before FNB held a function at New Orleans for all the sporting teams when Ashwin Willemse was a guest speaker. On the Friday of the week before there is a function at which Miss Derby is chosen. In the week before there are lots of sporting fixtures – hockey, netball, soccer and so on.

On the Monday, Women's Day, there was a great occasion at the stadium in Daljosaphat when girls' teams from the two schools played a rugby match and then the Old Boys of the two schools. Danwill Demas and Eugene Francis, both Sevens Springboks, played as did Jearus Nicholas.  Klein Nederburg won both the girls' match and the Old Boys' match.

But it is the winner of the rugby match between the two teams that counts most.

Fabian, who enjoys being the captain of the side, says that the school support is great. "The whole school is right behind us ands the spirit is building towards Saturday."

Fabian says that his team has been playing well – eight wins and a draw in nine matches this year. Victory included a 29-0 defeat of Paulus Joubert, also Paarl rivals.

He says he has a balanced team, good up front and in the backs. The star is flyhalf Burton Francis at flyhalf. He played for the Boland Academy side this year, as did eighthman Redowhan Anderson.

He also says that his side is well motivated. "Their attitude is right."

Fabian Shalton Pietersen was born in Paarl on 4 October 1985. He started playing rugby in Std 1 (Grade 3) at Paulus Joubert Primary. His uncle has been the star player in the family, He was contracted to the Falcons till injury sent him home to Paarl.

Christy de Kock, president of Klein Nederburg rugby, says of Fabiaan: "He is a tough defender at centre, a good distributor and an excellent goal-kicker."

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