Heinrich Olinger - Captain of Aliwal North
Player profile
Heinrich Olinger is the captain of Aliwal North High School who are preparing to play Hoërskool Hangklip in an FNB Classic Clash in Queenstown on Saturday.
They will make the 157 km journey down to Queenstown in high hope. Last year Hangklip, who has an especially good side, beat them but for five years before that the Buffaloes of Aliwal North had won.
Heinrich Herbert Olinger – the surname is from his German grandfather – was born in Aliwal North on 15 September 1986 and has been at the school from nursery class days. He started playing rugby in Sub A (Grade 1) and has played in the backs from then on. He is now in his third year in the 1st XV, the first two years as a flyhalf and now as an outside centre. "I'd rather play flyhalf," he says, "but my team needs me at centre."
His coach Marius Loubscher describes Heinrich as a "tough" player. He can take the knocks and get on with the game and he has strong leadership qualities, though this is his first year as captain.
Leadership qualities are important as the team is young – mostly in Std 9 with some in Std 8. Only five players are in matric. But it is a side that plays the game at pace. The back three are especially quick. Being light they seek to run the opposition ragged. That makes their clash with Hangklip all the more interesting.
Earlier this year they went down to Oakdale's Rugby Week in Riversdale and beat Monumentpark 27-0, Montagu 14-10, Kalahari 14-13. Most recently they went to the Fichardtpark Rugby Day and won again.
Heinrich enjoys being the captain, loves his team and reckons they are brave.
Heinrich's dad is a lawyer in Aliwal North but Dad, Heinrich and his two younger brothers live on their farm about 30 km outside of the town, coming in to school each day. Sadly, mother died a few years ago. The brothers are close – Heinrich in matric, the next one in Std 9 and the next one in Std 8. Flank Bernard is in the first team with Heinrich.
Apart from rugby Heinrich plays cricket as a wicketkeeper for the 1st XI and for the town team, but rugby is his first love.
He is unsure about plans for next year. A gap year overseas is one possibility, a course in diesel mechanics at Bloemfontein Technikon is another. Lawyer? "No, Oom," he says with a laugh. "I can't sit still for that long."
Wherever it is, he wants to keep on playing rugby.
For a general look at Aliwal North High School, click here.
