Profile: Shaun-Michael Hale
Towering Tygerberg captain Shaun-Michael Hale insists he’s not in any way, shape or form of more importance to his team than any of his teammates.
“It’s a great feeling and honour to be captain of the team but it doesn’t really matter. We are all equal and I’m just a player that’s part of a 15-man side.
“I rely on the team and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion,” said the humble 1.92m, 100kg lock.
Hale’s strength as a player stems from a strict diet and intense training and gym regimen, while his leadership abilities are a result of his faith, upbringing and trust in his teammates.
He said 2013 has been an unforgettable year.
“Every time that I’ve captained the team has been a highlight for me. Our discipline and the spirit we have in the team is something I’ll always remember.
“Our tour to Glenwood and the wins over Kempton Park and Wynberg were participularly memorable, as was beating Paul Roos last year when they were the number one team in the country.
“We’ve won 12 and drawn one of our 22 games this season against top teams like Outeniqua, Paarl Gimnasium, Garsfontein, Kempton Park, Bishops, Drostdy, SACS and Wynberg despite suffering a couple of injuries to key players,” he said.
This Saturday sees Tygerberg tackle Brackenfell and Hale is relishing the occasion.
“This year will be the fourth interschools game between us and we’ve developed quite a history. We’ve won all three games and both teams have a player from 2011 who’s in the Springbok Sevens side, Cheslin Kolbe from Brackenfell and Justin Geduld from Tygerberg.
“I believe they’ve put a lot of hard work into this game and will bring all their ‘weapons’ to the field. They have yet to beat us, so that makes them dangerous, but we’re ready to give it our all and definitely won’t lie down.
“Outside of rugby we are 15 guys with different personalities. When we come together, we become a team and when we run onto the field we become brothers.
“We train together, we stand together, we play together and we win together.”
