Profile: Neels van Schalkwyk
Hoërskool Kroonstad captain Neels van Schalkwyk exemplifies the heart and work ethic required to make it a high level.
The 17-year-old is an all action loose forward equally adept at eighthman and blindside flank and has been a pillar of strength for his team as skipper this season.
“I’m always prepared to put my body on the line and to lead my team mates from the front,” said Van Schalkwyk.
After featuring in the Griffons Academy team earlier this year, Van Schalkwyk is gearing up for another highlight – leading his team in Saturday’s big Bloues-Rooies FNB Classic Clash.
“I enjoyed it a lot. I learned new techniques and the rugby was much harder than at first team level,” he said of his experience with the Griffons Academy team.
Bloues have endured a challenging season and haven’t beaten their Kroonstad rivals since 2007, but Van Schalkwyk is backing his team to upset the applecart this weekend.
“The scores were sometimes misleading, they could just as well have been more positive, so I am disappointed,” he said of the season thus far.
“We have a young team but we have worked hard. Our opponents have won the last couple of clashes but the scores were close. It could just as well have gone the other way.
“We’re ready for a hard and physical game – honest rugby with no foul play.”
Looking to his future beyond schoolboy rugby next year, Van Schalkwyk said: “I am going to try to live out my passion and achieve even greater heights.”
