Gareth Light – Union High captain
Player Profile
The Graaff–Reinet derby between Volkskool and Union High is another FNB Classic Clash. Gareth Light will lead out Union High.
Gareth Light was born in Grahamstown on 26 August 1988. He is currently in Grade 12 but has been at Union since Grade 1. Gareth stays at home in Graaff-Reinet with his dad and is the third generation from his family to attend Union High. Naturally his family are extremely proud that he is deputy headboy of the school and captain of the 1st XV.
Gareth plays hooker and represented the Eastern Province Academy team this year. He has been accepted to the Sharks Academy for next year and like so many youngsters nowadays he is hoping to make a career from rugby. At least the Sharks Academy acknowledges that not all their pupils will make the grade, and players are required to study while at furthering their rugby education.
Gareth is a hooker who excels in the loose. Like Schalk Brits he likes to run with the ball and support the ball carrier. At 1.80 metres tall and 86kgs he can more than hold his own in the tight phases and he prides himself on his scrumming. His hero is New Zealander Sean Fitzpatrick, whom Gareth admires as a complete hooker with great leadership ability.
Union High have had a good season in 2006 and have lost only two games. On tour they lost by one point to KES and when they had six players away at Eastern Province trials they lost to Graeme College. Their best win of the season for Gareth was against Hudson Park from East London.
This is Union High’s final game of the season and also Gareth’s last. Having played for the 1st XV since Grade 10, Gareth is not nervous himself but he is making sure his team remain calm in the lead up to the big game. Union have prepared well and are in good form. Volkskool, despite being defending champions, have been struggling. Graaff-Reinet is a small town, and Gareth is confident his team can win bragging rights for the next year.
