Captain's profile: Eduan Taljaard

Marais Viljoen's season has been filled with challenges in terms of injuries to key players, which has made it really difficult to achieve the consistency they have become accustomed to. However, Saturday will provide captain Taljaard, along with his team, with an opportunity to build some momentum.

"The season thus far has been plagued with injuries, and the majority of the matches did not go as planned but I do believe the next game will go better. On Saturday, we have a full strength team, with five senior players while the other guys are making their first XV Classic Clash debuts," Taljaard said.

Despite winning last year's [2015] Classic Clash, the skipper is fully aware of his opponents' mammoth improvements this year. In a recent match between the two schools, Florida walked away with a victory.  

"Last year [2015] we won the Classic Clash, but we cannot depend on past victories. It has been proven that when it comes to the two schools' rivalry, history counts for nothing. This year they [Florida] have a much stronger side, who already beat us. Therefore they will be full of confidence coming Saturday," he added.

The captain has been playing in the first XV for two years but he will never forget his first game for the team at just 17-years-old.

"The highlight of my rugby career would be getting a start in the first XV in 2015. It is great playing with this group of guys. I think my work rate and ability to turn over the ball as a flank is what is keeping me in the first XV. It also led the first XV coaches to give me the responsibility of captaincy.

"Being named captain is a proud feeling, I literally felt like a champion when I heard my name being read out as captain. Along with captaincy comes great responsibility, therefore as a captain I strive to keep the team in a positive mindset and also set a good example," he stated.

The matriculant's future plans are to study Information Technology and continue playing rugby.