Captain's profile: Poela van Staden

Punt captain Poela van Staden is having the best season of his life, and he intends to make it count against Langenhoven Gim this weekend.

The dynamic openside flank who captained the second team at Punt last year has relished the challenge of leading an experienced Punt team with eight fellow Matrics this year.

"I have really enjoyed my rugby this year. There is a group of us who have played together the whole way through high school, we are more like brothers," he explained.

Van Staden, who models his game on Bulls fetcher Deon Stegmann has been happy with the way his team has progressed this season, and he knows they are in for a tough examination when they travel to Oudtshoorn this weekend.

"We have got better and developed as a team as the season has gone on, and to say that we are psyched up for this game would be a serious understatement," he said.

Van Staden attended the final round of SWD Craven Week trials this year, which he says was a great experience, and he plans to study Biokinetics at NMMU in George if he does not take a gap year, but this week he is focused on beating Langenhoven.

The last time Punt travelled to Oudtshoorn they beat Langenhoven, and the charismatic skipper is determined to make sure his team can do the same.

"We are playing away from home, but we are not going to stand back and let them intimidate us," he said.