James Hatting - St Andrew's College Captain
'It's a big game. It is the start of the Tri-Nations'
James Hatting, playing in his second year for St Andrew's College first team, will captain his school when they run in out in this Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against neighbours, Graeme College.
When asked what this game means for his team, he smiles wryly and simply states: "It's a big game. It is the start of the Tri-Nations."
This 'Tri-Nations' James talks about is to see who gets the title of being Grahamstown's top rugby team for the year – St Andrew's, Graeme or Kingswood.
This is more than a schoolboy rugby match.
This match determines who will have boasting rights in this small Eastern Cape town until next year's fixture.
James Christopher Stuart Hatting was born in East London on 3 August 1988. He attended Dale Junior in King William's Town until the end of Grade Seven, where he played Border Craven Week eighthman in 2001.
At the start of Grade Eight, James moved to St Andrew's, and has not looked back. He clearly has the respect of fellow players and staff alike. Coach Deon Boshoff says of James: "He is one of those exemplary kinds of players. He puts his body on the line and everyone follows. As a player he has a level of consistency which sets him apart from the rest."
Being a natural eighthman, who played centre last year when injuries hit the side, James obviously has plenty of pace and skill which will make him a danger from the back of the scrum. This fits in with what he sees as his team's strength, with him saying: "When we get going with ball in hand we play with lots of flair."
James sees his team as one that is wounded after some heavy defeats early in the season. James says "the month-long break has motivated us as we are now underdogs". "Compared to last year the expectations for this team are much different. We've got something to prove."
James future plans include going to Stellenbosch next year to study a Sports Psychology or Sports Science degree. If this does not work out, James hopes to be able to go on a gap year to France and experience playing rugby in that country.
By Grant Ball
