The group of 22 represents 10 schools across Gauteng, namely Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, Hoërskool Hans Moore, Hoërskool Vereeniging, Hoërskool Kempton Park, Benoni High, Hoërskool Transvalia, Hoërskool Jeugland, Hoërskool Suiderlig, Hoërskool Voortrekker and St Dunstan’s College.
Forty per cent of the squad (nine of the 22 players) are from EG Jansen, including squad captain Quinton van der Schyff, making it the most represented school.
EG Jansen’s neighbours, Voortrekker, is represented in the form of Motlatsi Khoza.
“The mood in the team is very good,” said Kwagga Loubser, of EG Jansen, who’s a member of the four-coach management of the team.
“We have a very good captain in Quinton van der Schyff and that keeps the team nicely together.
“He is also the first team captain at EG Jansen.”
Asked about the team’s chances at the tournament, the coach said their thorough preparations for the week-long gathering could go a long way in producing success.
“We had a very good pre-season and we are hoping to end the Craven Week unbeaten this year.
“Preparations are going well and they include a training camp before the tournament; we, as the coaching staff, are very excited about the Craven Week and the team’s chances.”
The Valke will open their campaign against Boland on Tuesday, July 15. Kick-off is at 12.50pm.
“We are going to take it one game at a time; our first game against Boland is going to be tough,” added the 36-year-old mentor.
Full squad (name/school) is as follows:
Management: Kwagga Loubser (EG Jansen), Phillip Lemmer (Hans Moore), Schalk Snyman (Dr Malan) and Gary Jonathan (Voortrekker). Players: Hanriël Coetzee (Hans Moore), Nico Peyper (EG Jansen), Donovan Venter (Vereening Gimnasium), Quinton van der Schyff (c) (EG Jansen), Hendre Stassen (EG Jansen), Juandre van der Walt (Kempton Park), Simangaliso Moalusi (Benoni High), Warren Brits (EG Jansen), Marco Jansen van Vuuren (Transvalia), Forrest Roos (EG Jansen), Darren de Bruin (Jeugland), Jimmy Mpailane (Kempton Park), Erich Cronje (EG Jansen), Irvin Ali (EG Jansen), Martin van Wyk (EG Jansen), Stefan Jacobs (Transvalia), Lesego Sereme (Suiderlig), Thokozani Skhosana (St Dunstan’s), Motlatsi Khoza (Voortrekker), Charl Barkhuizen (EG Jansen), Ntshepe Kokong (Vereeniging Gimnasium) and Joas Narre (Kempton Park). – @SabeloBoksburg