By Myles Hume

Canterbury newcomer Mark Swanepoel says that he will look to bring passion and intensity to his first competitive Ranfurly Shield match against Southland this weekend.

The Western Force transfer played his first shield match against North Otago three weeks ago but he knows that Saturday will be the a big test for the young Canterbury side.

“The intensity is much higher in shield rugby and we know that Southland will bring a lot of passion to the game so we’ll definitely be looking to match that,” he said.

Swanepoel said he has had a lot of advice throughout the week from his teammates and they have given him an insight into what big shield matches are like.

“A lot of the boys have told me it’s like finals footy. It’s a shield game so I’ve got to bring everything I’ve got.”

The 20-year-old is in his first season for Canterbury after originally playing in Australia for the Western Force but after finding it hard to keep up the intensity in the Super 15 off-season, Swanepoel decided to make the move across the Tasman.

“I told my manager that I was really keep to go play in the NPC. I wanted to play over here because in Australia there is no competition to bridge the gap between Super 15 and club rugby.

“My manager told me that Canterbury were looking for a halfback and when I heard that I was so keen to come over and play.

“To me Canterbury has the best provincial rugby teams in the world. Canterbury have won the competition for the last three years and you always see the Crusaders in the Super play-offs,” he said.

After his first season so far for the red-and-blacks the former Australian Southport School pupil said that he is “really loving” his first season and that the Canterbury culture is something “special”.

“There is just a real winning culture here. All the players, managers and staff have that real will to win. We all know that if everyone works well individually we will be a great team and everyone is committed to the same goal.”

Swanepoel said he is looking to develop his game this season. With enough development he could easily move onto higher honors, but who for?

Born in South Africa, moving to Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty when he was 6, then shifting to Australia at 11, Swanepoel is allegeable to play for any of the Tri-Nations teams.

The former Australian Schools and Under-20 halfback is looking to really make his mark on the ITM Cup this year and he sees his time at Canterbury as a real springboard to take his career to the next level.

Quick-fire: Mark Swanepoel

Smooth or Crunchy? Crunchy

Boardies or Speedos? Boardies

Favourite movie? Hangover movies

Latest book? Scar Tissue

Favourite food? BBQ

My favourite sportsman is . . . Roger Federer

Best part about rugby? Playing with your mates

Worst part about rugby? Ice baths

Funniest player in the team? Joel Everson, he’s creepy, and Robbie Fruean, he’s

got A.D.D. or something, laughs.