As the excitement mounts for what promises to be an epic FNB Classic Clashes encounter, Paarl Boys' High captain Reinart 'Takkies' Reitz is an oasis of calm ahead of the game against local rivals Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday.

With 20,000 spectators expected to turn up for this match, Reitz is not at all fazed by playing in front of such a big crowd, saying: "The crowd isn't a problem for us as we'll be playing the game as we have any other this year."

Though it is the star lock's first Interschools clash at First XV level, he does not feel that the pressure of the occasion will overwhelm him.

He told clasicclashes.co.za: "Yes it is a big occasion but I'm not feeling the pressure.

"With our preparations, we haven't done anything different to what we have been doing for other games.

"We're really just treating is as any other game," added Takkies.

Now if you're thinking that the name Takkies Reitz sounds familiar, you'd be correct.

Reinart's father - also Takkies - played lock for Boland (and was by all accounts quite good) and the youngster seems to be well on the way to following in his father's footsteps.

Of his dad, Reinart said: "My dad's been my role-model throughout my career and I'd like to emulate him by playing top-level rugby."

Reitz admits to having a liking for accounting at school and wants to study at Stellenbosch once he matriculates.

While he wants to continue playing rugby, the lock has decided that he wants to concentrate on his studies first.