The week that was…Dr Danie Craven’s legacy lives on

JOBURG – Craven’s Cola-Cola Rugby Week was in full swing at the Glenwood High School in Durban.

Teams from all around the country participated in the spectacular Craven Rugby Week – the teams were far better prepared and the entire approach to rugby was far more professional.

Franco van der Berg, who resides in Randburg, was elected to join the mighty Golden Lions.

The games which have been named in honour of SA Rugby president, Dr Danie Craven, and his intended legacy was in good spirit.

This year, fans were again treated to spectacular rugby as teams battled it out in a unique rugby atmosphere. The best feeling the rugby players experienced was playing in front of a packed stadium with lots of enthusiasm from supporters. The highlight of the games was when the Joburg-based Golden Lions started like a house on fire, when they played KwaZulu-Natal, scoring a converted try in the third minute of the match, but KwaZulu-Natal fought back well to score after 12 minutes of play.

A second Golden Lions try had them in the lead at the break and although Zander van der Merwe scored for the hosts with 5 minutes to play, a late penalty by Jo Raldo Olivier gave the Golden Lions the result they wanted.

The Golden Lions showed great character to stop KwaZulu-Natal following their 24 –0 defeat against the Blue Bulls. The team came out firing as they scored two tries. But KwaZulu-Natal hit back strongly with two tries in three minutes to take a 12 –10 half-time lead. This set the scene for some anticipation for the second half. Lions players held their nerve to get 13 –12 lead with minutes to go, KwaZulu-Natal’s attempt proved unsuccessful, and so did a late attempt to score a try by the Golden Lions.