Garrick Bowker - Captain of St Andrews

St Andrews captain Garrick Bowker is keen to see his team continue their recent run of form by clinching the FNB Classic Clash against Graeme College in Grahamstown.

By Bowker's admission St Andrews made a 'rusty' start to the season, going down to Framesby, Michaelhouse and KES, but he believes that the team turned a corner when they beat Pretoria Boys High and Bishops.

"We decided amongst the team that we have to man up and be more physical, and since then we have gone from strength to strength," he said.

The hooker has been captain at St Andrews since he was Under-9, and he says that the support of the other seven Matrics in his team make it easy to lead.

The St Andrews captain expects Graeme to take the ball wide and try to run his team off their feet on Saturday.

"Graeme always play quick, running rugby and I am sure we are in for a surprise or two on Saturday but our strengths are our commitment and communication so we will handle it," he said.

Bowker said that after playing some pretty big packs his team feel that they have the ability to dominate up front on Saturday and added that they would play a direct game to try and force the unpredictable Graeme players onto the back foot.

The front row forward is excited about the chance to overpower the opposition and if the rest of the St Andrews side are as keen to get stuck in as he is then the physicality of the Graeme team will be seriously tested.