Piketberg captain - Erich Kankowski
Piketberg captain Erich Kankowski is feeling very confident ahead of his team's FNB Classic Clash with local rivals Schoonspruit.
Piketberg are in good form at the moment having won the Remax Jan van Riebeek tournament and claiming the team of the tournament award at the recent Tony Stoops tournament, including the big scalp of Rondebosch Boys High.
Kankowski was named player of the tournament and the explosive hooker has since made the Boland Under-18 trial team for Craven Week.
The Piketberg skipper is no stranger to representative rugby having made the SARU U16 High Performance squad after Grant Khomo week in his first year in the first team.
He tries his best to lead from the front, which is exactly what he intends to do against Schoonspruit on Saturday.
"My strengths are my strong leadership ability and able to motivate players. As a player I am a strong ball carrier with good ball skills and an ability to read the game," he said.
He is expecting a tough game from Schoonspruit who should provide a test up front and out wide.
"It will be physically hard and fast and they will try to spread the ball wide," he said.
Piketberg will have a full-strength team on Saturday which has their skipper feeling bullish about their chances.
"The pack is at full strength and experienced. The backline consists of two experienced players with the rest all new young inexperienced players," he said.
Kankowski's message to his team this week has been never to let their heads drop.
"Never give up no matter what. Stay focused and never underestimate our opponent.
"It's not about how good you are but about how bad you want it; it's the one that want's it the most, that will give it's all," he explained.
