Renier Marais - Paul Roos Captain
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:21
Paul Roos captain and headboy, Renier Marais
For Paul Roos First XV captain and headboy, Renier Marais 2010 has been an extraordinary year, and not just because serious injury at a critical stage of the season saw this energetic hooker's hopes of Craven Week selection dashed for the second successive year.
Having already captained the team for three matches last year, including their home win over Grey College, he was the obvious choice to don the mantle this season. So it was when the campaign started, only for him to have the captaincy taken away for what could at best be described as spurious reasons in May.
The decision was made "in his best interests" as he "had too much on his plate" and he was summarily relieved of the responsibility. When the side's composure predictably disintegrated, he was eventually reinstated just over a month ago, a move which quickly reignited the strong spirit this confident, articulate young man knew existed in this hugely talented squad.
Born on 18 June 1992 in Queenstown, Renier moved at a fairly early age to Port Elizabeth where his father Dirk, now principal of Swartland, was appointed to a headmastership. He attended Grey Junior and Grey High until the end of 2007, something which has added considerable spice to the traditional early-season Paul Roos v Grey High clashes over the last three years.
With his father aiming for a post in the Western Cape, Renier moved to Paul Roos as a boarder in 2008, captaining the Under-16A rugby side on six occasions, representing the school's First Cricket XI (as he has ever since) and being selected for the Boland Under-17 cricket side.
As he grew comfortable in his new school Renier embraced the many opportunities open to learners at this proud institution. In 2009 he was a member of the choir, a writer for the school newspaper and a committee member in the Students' Christian Association.
This year the versatile youngster has added acting in the school musical to an already impressive repertoire, considering his pastoral duties as head boy and hostel prefect.
What of his rugby future? Renier hopes to be accepted by the University of Stellenbosch to study medicine at its Tygerberg campus next year, and so sport may just have to take a back seat for the time being.
The setbacks of injury and damaged pride might have broken a lesser character, but they have only served to strengthen this devout, clean-living Christian's resolve. "Winning begins in the head," he declares with a fervour that Grey College would do well to heed.
By Tony Stoops
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