Captain's profile: Gideo Beukes
Beukes and his charges will have an uphill battle ahead of them as five of their regular first XV players are currently on duty with the SA Schools teams that are currently participating in an International Series in Cape Town.
However, the captain remains optimistic about achieving a positive result.
"Despite having five players away on International duty, we remain an experienced team. Our season has been very successful as we have lost just one game against Paarl Boys High.
"We have had the upper hand over Paul Roos since 2010, however, they managed to beat us in 2015 in Stellenbosch. This derby is always a massive game and as it is our last game of the season, we know they [Paul Roos] are going to give their best.
"However, we will go out onto the main field with the mindset of enjoying our final game as Grey College learners and to make memories," Beukes said.
The 17-year-old prop is highly experienced and boasts two consecutive years of playing in both his school's first XV and Free State's Under-18 Craven Week team.
"Craven Week is a very tough competition where the best players of every province get together to compete and it was a privilege to be part of such an amazing week. However, I must admit that the day I was named captain of Grey's first XV is certainly the highlight of my career thus far.
"It is a very big privilege and honour to be the captain of this team and I feel that my ability to have developed off-field relationships with each player has been key to my success as captain. As a prop, you have to do your basics correctly and I feel that my scrummaging is my biggest asset," he added.
Beukes has told his team that they will not only be playing for the school and themselves, but also for the little boy in the crowd who looks up to them. Therefore, they should not disappoint the boy.
Beukes will remain loyal to the Free State Cheetahs when he leaves school, but has not ruled out the possibility of plying his trade in France in the near future.
