This year’s U18 Stadio Craven Week ended in victory for Western Province who beat Free State 37–24 in the main match.
The main match took place on the Ras van Rooyen field at Hoërskool Monument High, with the entire pavilion full of spectators, watching in suspense. Within the first five minutes, the WP got their first penalty, and within the first 10 minutes, the Cheetahs scored their first try. The first half was an intense struggle for both teams, with a score of 17 for the Cheetahs and 18 for the WP.
However, WP pulled away in the second half.
According to WP coach, Clinton van Rensburg, this is where the team took control. He especially praised their defensive efforts in this half particularly.
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“It was a huge team effort to achieve this victory. There was discipline amongst the players, where we did not relinquish any penalties,” Clinton added.
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Free State coach Corné Erasmus said unfortunately, they made mistakes at crucial moments, especially on their own half.
The Craven Week took place between June 24 and 29 with thousands of spectators and hundreds of talented rugby players.
Day 5 results are as follows:
• Sharks v Blue Bulls 26-19
• Golden Lions v SWD 45-40
• Pumas v WP XV 27-22
• Boland v Eastern Province 35-27
• Border v Griffons 16-10
• Valke v Griquas 30-24
• Leopards v Limpop Blue Bulls 43-39
The Krugersdorp News attended the week and found it extremely exciting. The were a total of 24 matches, where the best of the best school rugby took place. On the first day, it was evident that this was an important week for school rugby, with persons such as Golden Lions president Neville Jardine in attendance.
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“This week leads to the players being picked for the U18 Springbok team, where this leads to them eventually advancing to the national Springbok team,” Neville said during the opening ceremony.
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On the second day, it was some of our local Krugersdorp boys who played in the Golden Lions team, including, Jacques Botha (Monnas), Jamaal Feldman (Monnas), RJ Barnard (Monnas), Lindsey Jansen (Nories), Keenan Myners (Monnas), Meyer Opperman (Nories), Luhan Swart (Monnas) and Cheswill Jooste (Nories).
According to the secretary of the Lions, Eugene Marais, he sees great potential for local players RJ and Lindsey.
During the fourth day of the Craven week, spectators were amazed by the level of talent on the field.
Among those in attendance was former principal of Laerskool Millennium Primary, Eugene Grobler, who said the day delivered rugby of the highest standard.
Former chairperson for the SA Schools Rugby Association, Thys Bezuidenhout, added the Pumas vs Griffons match was an intriguing and high-scoring affair. At the same time, NWU rugby coach, Chaka Willemse, commented that there is plenty of talent coming through.
The final day of the Craven week was a day to remember, with the main game of the week being the WP against the Cheetahs.
According to the chairperson of the Golden Lions’ high school division, Tinus Diedricks, there was not an official final of the week.
“The ‘final’ of the week is not a final but rather a main match. It is an unofficial final, with the two best teams of the week competing against one another. We do this only due to a tradition that started in 1964. There was tremendous talent on this field this week, where other countries’ school rugby cannot compare,” Tinus said.
Monnas principal Johann Calitz added it was an honour to have hosted the Craven Week on their school grounds.
“It is also an opportunity to show the Krugersdorp community quality rugby. We are thankful for the opportunity that SA Rugby, SA School Rugby Association and Stadio allowed us to host the Craven Week,” Johann concluded.
