Grey captain: Johann van Niekerk

 

It has been a memorable season season for the Port Elizabeth side, who have claimed the scalps of the likes of Grey College, Paul Roos and Wynberg, but it all comes to an end against Selborne in East London on Saturday.

 

Van Niekerk has enjoyed every minute of a season that saw the openside flank represent the Eastern Province team that played in the final match of Craven Week, and wants to end his school career on a high against Selborne.

 

"So far we’ve had a really memorable season. We took a dip when we lost a few games in a row, but otherwise we’ve been performing week in and week out. We’ve had victories over Paul Roos, Grey College and Wynberg which will definitely be games that will be remembered in the future.

 

"I have told the team to just to enjoy every second of the week, because for the matrics it is our last week of school boy rugby," he said.

 

Van Niekerk plans to study engineering at the University of Stellenbosch next year, but he will never forget the honour of leading his school this year.

 

"It’s an absolute honour and privilege. Being captain of this team is just a great pleasure and with the players and all the leaders we have in the team it makes my job just so much easier.

 

"The highlight was definitely when we beat Grey College on our home field breaking a 10 year drought," he said.

 

The Grey captain said that playing at Craven Week was an invaluable experience which saw him learn a lot.

 

"It’s completely different to playing for your school, but I enjoyed every second of it. I mean for your school team you play with your brothers you see everyday where as for your province you play with your so called ‘enemies’ you play against on weekends,  who soon start feeling as brothers as well. And then just the competition is very tough and competitive," he said.

 

The hard-nosed flank enjoys getting stuck in at the breakdown and leading from the front as captain.

 

I enjoy the breakdown area and putting in a kick once in a while (definitely not my strong point).  I also feel that, with the help of some of the senior players, I have the ability to keep the team calm when we trailing and having to put up a comeback.

 

"Actions speak louder than words. So I try my best to get the players motivated in the way I play the game and put my body on the line," he said.

 

He knows that his team will have their work cut out for them against a big Selborne outfit this weekend, but is adamant they have what it takes to rise to the challenge.

 

"With the SA Schools boys missing, we lost three key players, but nevertheless the boys picked in their position are just as capable and I’m sure they will put their hands up.

 

"So far in my high school career every encounter has been closed. It is our FNB Classic Clash so we see it as one of our most important games and for that reason it is a very competitive game every year. The last 4 games between our first teams, we’ve won two and lost two.

 

"Selborne is always a physical game and playing in East London doesn’t make it any easier, but I am very excited for the clash," he added.