Craven Week sees Simelane awarded Hero of the Day
JOBURG – Gauteng Lions rising star shines at Craven Week.
Wandisile Simelane of the Gauteng Lions was named the Hero of the Day on day two of the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at Kearsney College in Durban.
Craven Week is an annual rugby union tournament aimed at identifying the top school rugby players in the country. The tournament started in 1964 and is named after the legendary Springbok player and coach Dr Danie Craven.
The prestigious Hero of the Day award is presented on each day of the tournament in recognition of a game-changing ‘hero’ moment.
Simelane of the Lions was selected for the award by an appointed panel of rugby experts led by SuperSport anchor Elma Smit. He was the Lion’s hero in the game against Western Province, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the first 30 minutes. He followed that up with 14 points from his boot, amassing an impressive 29 individual points in the match and propelling the Lions to a convincing 41–14 victory.
“It was not the main purpose to win the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day, the main purpose was to win the game and to play in one of the main games on Thursday – but I am blessed to win the award,” said Simelane.
Smit added, “A big congratulations to Wandisile on his selection as the Hero of the Day. His ability to find gaps in the opposition’s defence resulted in his team’s victory in their first game of the Craven Week.”
Many of South Africa’s top rugby players have participated in Craven Week including former World Cup winning captains John Smit and Francois Pienaar.
Fetsi Mbele, senior communications manager for the sponsors, said the tournament was where heroes were made and for many of the players the week was just the beginning of a future in the game. “I look forward to following the likes of Wandisile as they carve out a career for themselves in South African rugby,” he said.
