Dirk van Niekerk - Captain of Sentraal

Sentraal skipper Dirk van Niekerk knows that it will take a big effort up front if his team is to emerge victorious in their FNB Classic Clash with Jim Fouche.

The hard-working No.8 knows that the Sentraal forward pack will have to make the most of their strength and imposing physicality against their Bloemfontein rivals, and believes that the direct route will be best against a Jim Fouche outfit that pose a considerable threat out wide.

"JF is always a tight game, they might not be as physical as us but they are fast and fit so they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with which means that we will have to be on top of our game," he said.

He leads a strong team with nine Matric boys in it, but was also full of praise for the contribution of the Grade 11's in the side who he says have added a 'spark' this year.

Sentraal started the season well with three consecutive wins but then went down to Noord Kaap before losing two more matches at Waterkloof, but Van Niekerk says that the confidence is back since they managed to beat a competitive Tygerberg side.

Van Niekerk went to primary school in the Eastern Cape, and played at the Under-13 Craven Week before moving to Sentraal and states his main goal as cracking the Free State Craven Week team this year after battling with injuries for the last few years, but on Saturday the only thing on his mind will be leading his team to victory over Jim Fouche.