Captain's profile: Greg van Noordwyk
Kearsney bagged the victory in the corresponding 2015 fixture, however van Noordwyk remembers the match for quite different reasons.
"I was in the team that beat [Maritzburg] College in 2015. It was a tough game for me because I had to leave the field to receive stitches. When I was able to come back onto the field, I ended up getting another cut and left the field with a broken jaw.
"It has always been difficult to play against [Maritzburg] College as we feel it is more than just a game of rugby. To us, it is a case of the best of State school going up against the best Independent school. So that, in itself, carries a lot of weight," he said.
Kearsney College has a proud rugby history and upholding this strong tradition will be tough for van Noordwyk and his charges, however the prop is looking forward to leading a highly experienced team onto the field.
"Our team is an experienced group, compromising of 12 players currently in matric and three currently in Grade 11. Despite this amount of experience in the team, we will be missing a first choice prop – who will be missing the encounter due to injury – so I have had to make the switch from loosehead to tighthead," van Noordwyk said.
While leading your school's first XV is a huge honour in itself, the captaincy holds special meaning to van Noordwyk.
"I am obviously really proud to be captaining the first XV, not only because of what it means to the school but also because I am continuing my family's tradition of being appointed the first XV captain.
"There have also been many great Kearsney captains before me, one of favourites being current Sharks loose forward Daniel du Preez," he stated.
With so much on the young man's shoulders, he has still been able to lead his team with honour and have already guided them to seven victories this season. This success has come down to his work rate on the park, as well as his leadership skills.
"We are enjoying a good season thus far, having won eight matches and losing just three. I feel that as a player, my work rate around the park is a huge strength – despite being a prop. In terms of my captaincy, I feel that I really come into my own when times are tough and the team needs an extra boost to lift their spirits.
"Looking forward to the Classic Clash, we know [Maritzburg] College will look to play a very physical game but I know that if we can secure the ball, we will be able to release our backline and run the ball at them.
"Another thing that they [Maritzburg] will be relying on is their home ground. Playing at Goldstones is always a daunting task, so I will be responsible for ensuring the team remains unaffected by the aura of the venue.
"It is going to be a tough challenge for us and if we manage to achieve a positive result, we will remain humble in victory. However, should the result go against us, we will ensure that we lose with courage," he said.
Academics plays a massive role in van Noordwyk's life and he plans to expand his knowledge when he leaves school. In terms of rugby, he aims to represent Collegians – a team his father has coached for 20 years.
