Captain's profile: Dihan Odendaal
Thus far, Aliwal-Noord have had an amazing record against Hangklip. Winning the 2014 and the 2015 editions of the Classic Clash, the class of 2016 is under loads of pressure to keep the record intact.
But with two years’ experience in the first XV, and having a good knowledge of Hangklip, the skipper knows all too well never to underestimate his opponents. Furthermore, missing some key players for Saturday's match just adds to the pressure.
"We won last year's Classic Clash and playing at home does gives us the slight advantage. But we have had a difficult season with injuries to core players and on Saturday, we will be missing some first choice players which makes the job a little more difficult.
"I never underestimate Hangklip. Knowing them, they will test us and give us a hard game so securing a victory will not be that easy," Odendaal said.
The captain is no stranger to tough encounters, having been captain of the 2015 EP Country Districts Academy Week team and part of the 2016 EP CD Craven Week side, Odendaal wants to add the Classic Clash to his list of achievements.
"Playing in the [2015] Academy week and [2016] Craven Week was an incredible experience, I would definitely regard it as the highlight of my rugby career. It has given me the necessary tools to lead my side.
"Being named captain is a huge honour and dream come true. I always tell the boys to play for one another like brothers because 'Buffels' are a brotherhood," he added.
With a good head on his shoulders, the matriculant's plan is to study a BCom degree at NWU-Pukke and to also be part of the Pukke Academy in 2017.
