Pierre Uys will captain Afrikaanse Hoërskool (Rooiskool) against the Blouskool on Saturday. As an FNB Classic Clash it is a big match... but it's also an encounter that will see two friends go head to head.

Uys and Blouskool (Hoërskool Kroonstad) skipper Johann Botes played at the recent Academy Week together - for the Griffons - and the Rooiskool captain describes them as "old friends".

"It's always fun to play against Johann," said Uys to classicclashes.co.za.

"He's a hard No.8... of course we know each other well... so there's always plenty of bragging rights on offer when our schools play against each other!"

Of course, Pierre does not need reminding about the magnitude of Saturday's occasion - a Classic Clash for one... but an encounter which will see the entire Kroonstad come to a standstill.

"We're looking forward to it," said Uys of a clash which his school has not lost since 2007. "It gives one goosebumps, playing in front of such a crowd, and the whole occasion, but and it will certainly inspire us (even more)."

Saturday, however, is also doubling up as a knockout match of all. The winner of this fixture will progress one step further in the Northern Free State league.

Uys added: "With so much at stake, and with all the history, this is a huge game. And in a game like this you can never make a clear prediction - it's all about what happens on the day.

"I would definitely say that they (Blouskool) are the favourites. I definitely enjoy going into a big game like this as the underdogs, so that will suit us just fine!

"Either way, however," he continued, "I'm expecting a hard, hard game."

Pierre, who weighs 81 kilograms and stands 1,77 metres tall, plays on the left-wing - his favourite position.

His rugby heroes are Gio Aplon and Jean de Villiers - "because of what they can do with ball in hand"... but also because he is a massive Western Province fan. (It does help that he was born in the Cape!)

Having scored 12 tries in seven matches this season, the Rooiskool First XV will rely on their skipper for two reasons - his try-scoring ability and his leadership.

"I come into the line a lot, so I'm always around," he said when asked about the challenges of captaining a team from the wing.

Next year Pierre will be joining the Sharks Academy. Clearly he plans on giving rugby a go, but he will also be studying Sports Science.