Captain's profile: Marius Louw

Grey College skipper Marius Louw was part of the team that went down to Affies last year, and he is determined to turn the tables in Bloemfontein this weekend.

The speedy blindside flank, who models his game on Sharks captain Keegan Daniel, was not in Pietermaritzburg last week for the Wildeklawer festival due to a toe injury, but he did get a good look at the Affies team on television.

What he saw was Affies come back from a 10-0 half-time deficit against Paul Roos to win 17-0, which left him in no doubt about what will be required in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

"We will have to play well in the first half and then even better in the second half," he said.

The Grey College captain was equally impressed with his team's fighting performance against Monument, which saw them secure a tight win in pouring rain.

"We did well to keep possession in such difficult conditions," he said.

Louw is one of five players in the Grey side that played Craven Week for Free State last year, but competition at the rugby powerhouse is so strong that every player has to work hard to make the team.

"We have some guys who were at Craven Week last year but the competition is so strong within the school that you cannot take your place in the team for granted," he said.

Whilst Louw is aware that Affies will pose a big threat up front, he knows that they also have plenty of pace to burn as well.

"Last year they played with a lot of speed, so while they can come straight at you they also have a lot of speed and agility as well," he explained.

Louw's team have only lost one match this year – by two points to Outeniqua – and they are looking forward to the test that the unbeaten Affies side will present.

"It will be very tough but we are not standing back, we are playing in our hometown and we are looking forward to the challenge," he said.