Hanno Vermaak - FNB Player of the Week

Player profile

We profile Hanno Vermaak of Grey High School, our FNB Player of the Week, after outstanding performances throughout Grey’s season and his continued form in the SACS Rugby Festival.

Strongly built and pace galore, one wonders how on earth this youngster missed selection in the Eastern Province Craven Week side. His positional play is straight out the playbook; his explosiveness off the mark is remarkable, with strong bursts from the base of the scrum and straight, hard running – the Tiaan Strauss of Port Elizabeth is a definite talent for the future.

Born in Louis Trichardt on the 25 October 1986, Hanno attended Pietersburg Primary where his rugby talent was noticed at an early age and gained him selection in the Craven Week Under-13 team. His other talent was on the athletics track where he excelled in all events.

Hanno then moved with his family to Port Elizabeth in 2000 and started his Standard 6 (Grade 8) year at Grey PE. It wasn't long before the Grey coaches recognised his talent, making Eastern Province Schools for discus and shot putt, and dominating the rugby scene with his athleticism and remarkable skills.

When he was Under-15 he was chosen for the South African elite squad. He played for Eastern Province at Under-16 and goes annually to the South African Athletics Championships with his shot and his discus.

Dirk Walters, the Grey coach, is full of praise for him. He says" "Hanno is incredibly strong and able to rob opponents of possession. He is also fast, running hard and straight. And he has excellent ball skills."

When his family moved up to Johannesburg, Hanno became a boarder at Grey and has loved every moment of it.

A leader on the field, Hanno is also a school prefect at Grey and is studying extremely hard for his matric finals. The school prefect plans to take a gap year after matric and will take the time out to decide on his future and tertiary studies.