Captain's profile: Gerhard v/d Merwe

Goudveld captain Gerhard van der Merwe is a true team man with some big rugby heroes. He will be a key man for his side in Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against local rivals, Welkom Gimnasium.

The Matric student will wear the No.6 jersey for his side, despite having played at hooker all year long and during his first full starting season of First XV rugby in 2011.

However, it's all about the team and he admits: "I do prefer playing flank as you get your hands on the ball a lot more, but I will play anywhere the team needs me."

Gerhard made his first team debut back in 2010 – "mostly from the bench" but became a key man last year, before moving into the key leadership role this year.

He looks to World Cup-winning skippers Richie McCaw and John Smit as his captaincy and playing idols, with Springboks Heinrich Brüssow and Bismarck du Plessis featuring in his list of rugby heroes.

"Smit has taught me so much about playing and hooker and I look up to all of those players – all of whom are greats!"

Van der Merwe describes the captaincy as a "huge honour" and he would dearly love a victory in this huge derby; after all it is his final meeting with Gimmies.

He adds: "Yes, for some of us it's our last game (against Welkom Gim), but it's just another game in the greater scheme of things as we want to win regardless."

Goudveld won by a single point in 2011 (12 points to 11), with Gim winning in 2010 and Gouties winning in 2009. Between 2005 and 2008, however, it was all Welkom Gimnasium.

"Gim have a good team," says Gerhard, "I think we're well-matched up front, and both teams have dangerous backlines, but both teams will play their hearts out in order to get some advantage up front."

According to their captain, Gouties have trained well this week but they have managed to have a rest too and their team spirit is strong.

Gerhard van der Merwe is hoping that team spirit will help pull them through tomorrow!