Robert de Klerk – Captain of Cradock

Player Profile

Cradock High play Marlow Landbou from just outside Cradock in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, a great occasion.

Robert de Klerk, the captain of the Cradock First XV, was still in nappies when Robert du Preez was the Blue Bulls scrumhalf. Du Preez was tall, had a long bullet like pass and a strong break. Very similar in stature Robert de Klerk plays the same type of game.

Robert de Klerk was born in Cradock on 22 October 1987 and attended Cradock Primary. He is vice-headboy of Cradock High and played for Eastern Province Country Districts A-team this season.

Having lived in Cradock his whole life he is looking forward very much to going down to study B.Comm (Law) at Stellenbosch University next season.

Robert aspires to play like New Zealand’s Daniel Carter did against the British Lions. Carter used all his gifts to play what could only be described as the perfect game in the second test and Robert is hoping to do the same against Marlow on Saturday.

Robert played in last year’s Interschools, which was won comfortably by Marlow. Cradock have trained harder and performed better this season. They are coming off a morale-boosting loss (7-10) to the formidable Gill College. Although they remain underdogs, they are acutely aware that Marlow are more than a little bit worried this year. Cradock have built their success around their strong pack and they will be hoping that they are once again able to dominate on Saturday.

Robert de Klerk’s best rugby memory to date is his big win in Under-16 against Gill. No doubt he will be hoping that that win, like Robert du Preez, is but a distant memory come Saturday night, replaced by inter-school glory!

For a general view of Cradock High, click here.