Captain's profile: Schalk Erasmus

Affies are coming off the back of their first defeat of the season at the hands of Paarl Boys High – who are currently ranked first on the Schools Top 20 rankings – but up until that point, have been undefeated and solidified their second place on the rankings.

However, rankings mean nothing to Erasmus and his team as a physical battle is on the card.

"We know we are going to be in for a physical battle and they are going to look to play a very tactical game that see them look to kick the ball into gaps. We know what to expect from them and we are certainly ready for the challenge.

"We have a great group of experienced players with loads of talent and the nice part of playing for Affies is that we have some depth in the school, with our second XV possessing some great players as well.

"Our season has been really good so far. We have lost just one game and that was to Boishaai in a very close encounter. We lost it by four points but we nearly won it in the final seconds of the game as we came very close to scoring a try at the death," he said.

The grade 12 hooker, who has been part of the first XV for the last two years, has represented the Blue Bulls in the 2014 Grant Khomo Week as well as the 2015 Craven Week and believes his calm demeanour allows him to lead his team from the front.

"It is obviously a huge honour to lead Affies' first XV and I think that because I am able to remain calm in really difficult situations, it allows me to focus on my leadership skills so that I may set the example for the team to follow.

"We know it will be a massive occasion playing at home against Grey Bloem but all we need to do is remained focussed on the ball and not on any individual players. The stands will be packed, so my message to my team would be to not get overwhelmed by the occasion and just for each player to give their best until the final whistle," he added.

Erasmus plans to continue rugby once he leaves school while pursuing a BCom Financial Accounting degree.