Herschall Collins – New Orleans captain
Player Profile
The original inter-schools derby between Gim and Boishaai may have taken place in Paarl last week but an equally important FNB Classic Clash takes place in the town this week as New Orleans and Klein Nederburg do battle. For the second year in a row Herschall Collins captains New Orleans.
Herschall Collins was born in Paarl on 11 May 1987. He attended William Lloyd Primary School where he played inside centre. He moved to New Orleans in Grade 8 (Std 6) and is now in Grade 11. He intends leaving school at the end of this year and has applied to the Maties Rugby Academy for next year. He has played for the 1st XV for three years now and led them to victory in the corresponding fixture last year.
Last year Herschall played for the Boland Academy team and this year he has been in the Boland Under-19 squad. He has played for the FNB Invitation XV at the St. John’s Festival in Johannesburg over the last two years and this year captained the team, who were unbeaten in their three games. Herschall really enjoyed the experiences and says he learnt a lot and made many new friends.
A burly flank at 1.85 metres and 95kgs Herschall has lots of speed and excels as a ball carrier. Not one to sing his own praises he says that people tell him he is a good defender. Although not a fetcher himself Herschall’s favourite player is New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw. Herschall says he admires the way McCaw plays and leads, and his excellent decision making ability.
New Orleans had a relatively slow start to the season according to Herschall and lost a few games. The team have come right of late though and the spirit is good going into the biggest game of the season. The best game of the season thus far for Herschall was their win over another local team Paulus Joubert. The team played well that day and Herschall had been waiting to play them for two years having being injured when they met previously.
New Orleans have a strong pack and useful backs. They won the derby last year and Herschall is really hoping to be able to do the double. Herschall emphasised how proud and honoured he was to be leading the New Orleans team for the second time. He said he was hoping to get another derby win to one day be able to tell his own children about.
