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Die bepalingskomitee kan moontlik gedurende die 56ste Cravenweek vir hoërskole voor ‘n baie moeilike besluit te staan kom. 

Indien die Westelike Provinsie en die unie se XV-tal na afloop van die vierde dag se wedstryde nog onoorwonne moet die bepalingskomitee besluit of ‘n unie se “tweede span” in die hoofwedstryd van die gesogte toernooi sal speel. Indien dit die geval is, sal dit die eerste keer sedert die ontstaan van die toernooi in 1964 wees dat ‘n unie se naasbestes in die hoofwedstryd in aksie sal wees. 

Die Westelike Provinsie is verlede jaar as die nie-amptelike kampioen gekroon na hy die Sharks met 47-8 in die hoofwedstryd in die Paarl gekarnuffel het. Die Streeptruie sal sy aanslag op vanjaar se titel Maandag op Grey-kollege se hoofveld teen Boland afskop. 

Die gasheer, die Vrystaat, het ‘n gewigtige juk om tydens die week af te skud. Die Vrystaat kon nog nooit al drie sy wedstryde tydens die Cravenweek wen tydens die vorige vier toernooie wat in die Rosestad aangebied is nie. Die span het wel in 1968 daarin geslaag om die toernooi onoorwonne af te sluit, maar het op die laaste dag teen Natal met 9-elk gelykop gespeel. 

Die span van 1968 is destyds deur Grey-kollege se heelagter, Wilhelm Landman, aangevoer. In 1984 het die Vrystaters op die tweede dag teen Transvaal naelskraaps met 9-10 die knie gebuig.

Toe die toernooi in 1995 tydens die Vrystaat Rugbyunie se eeufeesvieringe in Bloemfontein gedraai het, het die Vrystaat wel in die hoofwedstryd vir Boland met 15-13 in die Vrystaat-stadion getroeg. Daar was egter ‘n uiters kontroversiële besluit destyds geneem om die Vrystaat die hoofwedstryd te gee na hy in sy tweede wedstryd teen Suidoos-Transvaal met 11-15 vasgeval het. 

In die span van die Vrystaat het Michael Horak (Engeland, heelagter), Charl Blom (skrumskakel), Werner Struwig (flank en kaptein) en Renier van den Berg (stut) gespeel.

Tydens die vorige Cravenweek wat in die Rosestad aangebied is, in 2005 op Grey-kollege se velde kon die Vrystaat nie daarin slaag om ‘n enkele wedstryd te wen nie. Die span het teen die Goue Leeus (10-26), Griekwaland-Wes (12-13) en die Luiperds (25-26) die onderspit gedelf. Die lede van vanjaar se span was egter nog nie op skool met die laaste toernooi in die Rosestad nie, so sal nie so swaar aan hierdie letsels dra nie. 

Kort voor die Cravenweek in 2005 het een van die Vrystaat se sleutelspelers Frans Steyn sy sleutelbeen gebreek en kon hy nie aan die toernooi deelneem nie. Ander spelers van daardie span wat later senior provinsiale rugby gespeel het sluit in JW Jonker (senter), Kevin Stevens (stut), Donald Stevens (skrumskakel) en Bernd Theissinger (losskakel). 

Die bepalings: 

Maandag, 1 Julie: 10:40 – Valke vs Luiperds 12:10 – Pumas vs Suidwestelike Distrikte; 13:40 – Westelike Provinsie vs Boland; 15:40 – Vrystaat vs Sharks. 

Dinsdag, 2 Julie: 09:30 – Griekwaland-Wes vs Limpopo Blou Bulle; 11:00 – Blou Bulle XV vs Goue Leeus XV; 12:30 – Oostelike Provinsie vs Griffons; 14:00 – Blou Bulle vs Grens; 15:30 – Goue Leeus vs Westelike Provinsie XV.

FOTO: Charl Devenish

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Elke jaar is daar ‘n paar spelers wat ongelukkig is om nie aan die Cravenweek vir hoërskole deel te neem. Daar is ook ‘n paar skolespelers wat hul 19de verjaarsdag in die jaar vier en dus nie vir die gesogte toernooi deur hul onderskeie unies oorweeg kan word nie. 

School of Rugby het gaan kyk watter vyf skolespelers ons glo die beste spelers op eerstespanvlak in Suid-Afrika is wat nie vanjaar op Grey-kollege in Bloemfontein aan die Cravenweek deelneem nie.

Marcell Muller (Grey-kollege) 

Die beste beskrywing van Muller is dat hy die naaste aan ‘n makrovleuel is, wat vanjaar op skolevlak in Suid-Afrika in aksie is. Muller laat die skaal op ‘n stewige 100kg kreun en met sy vaart skort daar niks nie. 

Muller is tot dusver met groot sukses deur Grey-kollege vanaf die plaasvervangersbank ingespan. Hy was feitlik elke keer wat hy losgelaat is in die laaste 20 minute van ‘n wedstryd met sy krag en vaart een te veel vir die span van Bloemfontein se teenstanders. Muller het al 12 drieë vir die trots van die Rosestad gedruk.

Muller is tans saam met Grey-kollege se sewespan in Amerika waar hulle aan die Wéreld Jeug-toernooi in California deelneem.

Stravino Jacobs (Paarl Gimnasium) 

Niemand het al meer drieë vir Paarl Gimnasium se eerste span as die blitsige linkervleuel, Stravino Jacobs, gedruk nie. As jy in gedagte hou dat spelers soos Jean de Villiers, Marius Joubert en Pieter Rossouw almal oud-leerlinge van Gimmies is, dan getuig dit boekdele van die vermoë waaroor Jacobs beskik. 

Dit is Jacobs se derde jaar in Paarl Gimnasium se eerstespan en hy het reeds verlede jaar die Suid-Afrikaanse Skole verteenwoordig. Jacobs het al 32 keer die doellyn vir sy skoolspan oorgesteek. Waarvan 17 van die drieë vanjaar was. 

Jacobs is vanjaar o.19 en kan dus nie aan die Cravenweek (o.18) deelneem nie. Hy het reeds ‘n kontrak met die Blou Bulle gesluit om sy loopbaan volgende jaar in Pretoria voort te sit.  

Tiaan Pretorius (Paul Roos Gimnasium) 

Pretorius kon weens harsingskudding nie aan die Westelike Provinsie se proewes deelneem nie en moes ongelukkig Jan Tuisbly se karretjie ry. Hy het reeds verlede jaar die Streeptruie gehelp om as nie-amptelike kampioen van die Cravenweek gekroon te word.

Pretorius, wat ewe gemaklik in die middelveld as op vleuel is, was die afgelope twee jaar ‘n lid van die Suid-Afrikaanse o.18 sewespan wat as kampioen van die Capricorn-toernooi in Namibië gekroon is. 

Hy was een van die sleutelspelers vir die span van Stellenbosch in hul opmars na die titel as kampioen van die Sanix-toernooi in Japan. Boonop loop die rugbybloed sterk deur sy are. Sy pa, Torros Pretorius, het op sy dag op agtsteman vir die Suidoos-Transvaal en die Cats uitgedraf. Sy neef is die Blitsbok en Leeus se kaptein, Kwagga Smith. 

Nivan Petersen (Stellenberg)

Dit was vanjaar duidelik dat Stellenberg nie vanjaar dieselfde span was sonder Petersen as wanneer hy op sy plek as generaal van die #JadeBrigade was nie. Petersen het verlede jaar vir Westelike Provinsie se XV-tal op die Cravenweek in die Paarl uitgedraf en dit was slegs die SA Skole-losskakel, Juan Mostert, wat hom uit die Streeptruie se uitsoekspan gehou het. 

Petersen het tot dusver die afgelope drie jaar al 338 punte vir sy skoolspan opgestapel. Hy het vanjaar nog net 81 punte aangeteken omdat hy ‘n paar wedstryde weens ‘n enkelbesering langs die kantlyn moes sit. Hy het verlede jaar ‘n allemintige 170 deur die seisoen aangeteken.

Petersen mis die Cravenweek omdat hy reeds o.19 vanjaar is. Hy behoort later vanjaar die Westelike Provinsie se o.19-span tydens SA Rugby se week te verteenwoordig. Hy beskik oor ‘n geleërde skopskoen en kan net so gemaklik in die laaste vesting inskuif.

Reagan van der Westhuizen (Paul Roos Gimnasium) 

Van der Westhuizen is nes Pretorius ewe gemaklik in die middelveld as op vleuel en loop die Cravenweek mis oor hy reeds vanjaar o.19 is. Hy was boonop ook nog nie vanjaar vir sy skoolspan in aksie nie, na hy vroeg ‘n kruisligament in sy knie geskeer het. Van der Westhuizen het egter genoeg van sy talent verlede jaar ten toon gestel om te wys dat hy ‘n speler met hope potensiaal is. 

Van der Westhuizen hardloop sterk en dit vat gewoonlik meer as een verdediger om hom plat te trek. 

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‘n Plek in die Suid-Afrikaanse Skole-span sal jou nie eers vanjaar van ‘n kontrak by ‘n unie verseker nie. Daar is dus op vanjaar se 56ste Cravenweek vir hoërskole in Bloemfontein minder om voor te speel, maar heelwat meer op die spel. 

Vanweë die Suid-Afrikaanse Rugby-unie se nuwe kontraktering-stelsel wat die gordel stywer trek sal daar slegs ongeveer 25 kontrakte in totaal vir vanjaar se skoolverlaters beskikbaar wees. Voorheen het ongeveer 110 spelers jaarliks kontrakte ontvang om hulle loopbane by die vyf voorste unies na skool voort te sit. 

Daar word vanjaar twee SA Skole-spanne van 28 spelers elk gekies wat later vanjaar in ‘n internasionale reeks teen Engeland, Frankryk, Wallis en Argentinië in aksie sal wees.

Die Blou Bulle wat jaarliks die meeste spelers op juniorvlak gekontrakteer het, sal vanjaar slegs vyf kontrakte uitdeel. Die Ligbloues het reeds kontrakte gelsuit met Paarl Gimnasium se vleuel Stravino Jacobs en die vaskopstut Ethan Theart vanuit Namibië. Nie een van die twee sal op vanjaar se Cravenweek in aksie wees nie. Jacobs is reeds o.19. 

Die Blou Bulle het ook vir die eerste keer in jare nie een van die losies rondom die veld geneem nie. Na verneem beloop die koste vir só stalletjie gedurende die week by Grey-kollege ‘n stewige R45 000. “Ons gaan meer selektief met ons werwing gepaard en sal met die pyplyn na die Bulle in die oog kontrakte aan juniors aanbied. Ons sal ook probeer om meer plaaslike spelers te behou,” het Werner de Beer, hoë-prestasiebestuurder van die Blou Bulle, gesê.

Die Goue Leeus sal met tien kontrakte die meeste aanbiedings vanjaar maak. Die Sharks gaan ses junior spelers kontrakteer waarvan Kian Meadon (Hoër Jongenskool Paarl, losskakel), Ockie Barnard (Westville Boys’ High, slot), Jacques Goosen (Selborne College, haker), Jarrod Taylor (Selborne College, flank) en Blaine Golden (Glenwood, vaskopstut) reeds bevestig het dat hulle volgende jaar hul loopbane in Durban sal voortsit. 

Goosen en Taylor het reeds verlede jaar die SA Skole-span verteenwoordig. Die Westelike Provinsie be-oog ook om vyf juniors te kontrakteer, maar hoe die unie se huidige geldsituasie ‘n impak daarop sal hê moet nog bepaal word. Die Streeptruie het wel reeds Paarl Gimnasium se skrumskakel, Bobby Alexander, ‘n kontrak aangebied. 

Dié kontrakte beteken dat die spelers salarisse ontvang en verskeie voordele soos akkomodasie en gimnasium-ledegeld deel van die pakket uitmaak. Dit sluit nie studiebeurse in nie. Na wat verneem word het die universiteite ook hulle gordels stywer vasgemaak en kan daar ook verwag word dat minder spelers beurse aangebied sal word. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium se Kade Wolhuter (losskakel) en Robbie Rodgers (voorryman) het reeds kontrakte met die Franse-klubspan Montpellier vir drie jaar na skool gesluit. Wolhuter sal ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker op ‘n plek in die SA Skole-span wees, terwyl Rodgers ongelukkig die Cravenweek weens ‘n skouerbesering sal misloop. 

Daar kan verwag word dat daar vanjaar heelwat meer oorsese belangstelling en tjekboeke wat in Euros, Jen en Amerikaanse Dollar praat al hoe meer van die praatwerk sal begin doen. 

Die bepalings: 

Maandag, 1 Julie: 10:40 – Valke vs Luiperds 12:10 – Pumas vs Suidwestelike Distrikte; 13:40 – Westelike Provinsie vs Boland; 15:40 – Vrystaat vs Sharks. 

Dinsdag, 2 Julie: 09:30 – Griekwaland-Wes vs Limpopo Blou Bulle; 11:00 – Blou Bulle XV vs Goue Leeus XV; 12:30 – Oostelike Provinsie vs Griffons; 14:00 – Blou Bulle vs Grens; 15:30 – Goue Leeus vs Westelike Provinsie XV

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The Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s head coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, has asked the players to back the processes in place ahead of the all-important fourth Youth One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

With the home side trailing three-nil in the series, Mahatlane has urged the youngsters to trust in the work they’ve put in while maintaining the consistency required to handle the game-changing moments better, to turn the series around.

“The message has been about believing in the process,” the coach said during the team’s practice on Saturday morning. “Throughout these three games, we’ve done certain things very well at certain times, we just haven’t put it all together. It’s about backing the process and going out there, putting it together.

“The key is consistency; winning the big moments as well. From a players’ point of view, they understand that during those big moments, we’ve been under a bit of pressure. If we look at the first game in chasing, we left ourselves a bit too much to do in the end and ended up 17 runs short. In the second game, we had chances as well and the third game, I thought they batted superbly well on a very good wicket. Our bowling wasn’t up to scratch after our batting came to the party.

“So, it’s about putting both disciplines together,” Mahatlane continued.

Although results haven’t gone their way, the SA under-19 players have shown their potential through notable individual performances. In the three matches thus far, Bryce Parsons has picked up four wickets with an economy rate of 4.33, while Ruan Terblanche recorded a maiden century (110 off 134 balls) and Andrew Louw notched up a high score of 91 off 114 deliveries.

Mahatlane believes a few individuals have stepped up despite the results and expects more from the rest of the team in order to carry the form throughout the match if they are to get the better of a skilled Pakistani outfit. He’s earmarked the remaining four games of the series and the upcoming encounters against India, Zimbabwe and New Zealand later this year for the players to stake their claims.

“Most of them have (grabbed their opportunities). In terms of the batting, obviously the scores from Terblanche and Louw stand out. A guy like Luke Beaufort is averaging 48 for us in the series and I think the bowling unit has bowled well. It’s just again, all individuals have really stood up but unfortunately, when you play against an experienced side you are not allowed to have half an hour of madness if you want to call it that and we seem to have had those,” he added.

“It’s that whole transition from schoolboy cricket to under-19 cricket and we still have four games left in this series, then we’ve got seven against India, Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

“That is eleven games where guys can keep learning and keep growing.”

With the 2020 U19 Cricket World Cup in the forefront of the preparations and the series, Mahatlane is looking to give more players an opportunity to fight for a place in the side and ultimately a spot in the World Cup fifteen. Bowling all-rounder and right-arm off-spinner, Pheko Moletsane has been brought into the squad for the remainder of the Youth ODI series.

“I am excited with the group of players we have,” he insisted. “We are going to give opportunities to other players. Pheko will come into the squad and we might bring in another two or three guys because you want to test them in terms of playing internationally. Hopefully, by the end of this tour, we will have watched 20-22 players play youth international cricket and understand how they react to the pressures.

The fourth Youth ODI takes place on Sunday, 30 June at the City Oval from 09h00. Regular updates will be available through Cricket South Africa’s platforms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cricketsouthafrica) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/officialcsa).

Coca-Cola South Africa U19 squad: Bryce Parsons (captain, Gauteng), Luke Beaufort (Eastern Province), Jonathan Bird (Western Province), Achille Cloete (Boland), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Khanya Cotani (North West), Micheal Copeland (Gauteng), Andrew Louw (Free State), Pheko Moletsane (Free State), Lifa Ntanzi (KZN Coastal), Imraan Philander (Western Province), Siya Plaatjie (Western Province), Ruan Terblanche (Boland), Tiaan van Vuuren (Eastern Province), Nonelela Yikha (Border).

Western Province was crowned the unofficial champions of the annual Grant Khomo Week at Rob Ferreira in White River. They defeated the Sharks convincingly by 34-10 in the main match.

 

Scorers: 

Western Province 34 (12) – Tries: Coetzee le Roux, Tris van Dyk, Abulele Ndabambi, Michael Koch, Corné Lavagna, Bevan Simons. Conversions: Compion von Ludwig, Hakeem Kunene. Sharks 10 (10) – Try: Munashe Dukuswa. Conversion: Alex Vermeulen. Penalty: Matata Nkuna.

South Western Districts 46 (25) – Tries: Morné Els (2), Dian Heunis, Neil le Roux, Simeon Oosthuizen, Auba Adams. Conversions: Le Roux (5). Penalties: Le Roux (2). Golden Lions 20 (8) – Tries: Kelly Mpeku (2), Jacobus Bezuidenhout. Conversion: Joshua Smith. Penalty: Bronson Mills.

Blue Bulls 44 (24) – Tries: Wian Faber (2), Keanu Peters (2), Bernie Bezuidenhout, Kevin Locke, Tian Muller, Riaan Gerber. Conversions: Gerber (2). Border 43 (10) – Tries: Kyle Thompson, Riego Heath, Tiamo Mjali, Daniel de Beyer, Aya Mngaza. Conversions: Heath (4). Penalty: Heath.

Free State 45 (12) – Tries: Jan Meyer (3), Cornelius Volschenk, Kamo Mathibedi, Kamogelo Makolane, Caleb Abrahams. Conversions: Jean Smith (5). Eastern Province 12 (0) – Tries: Dwayne Pharo (2). Conversion: Divan Moss.

Pumas 29 (22) – Tries: Kherwin Erasmus (2), Pepe Maseko, Kwanele Nkambule. Conversions: Christiaan Gates (3). Penalty: Gates. Griffons 24 (12) – Tries: Temoso Lebusa, Thladi Phenyane, Henro Claasen, Mzwakhe Khumalo. Conversions: Dendré Aucamp (2).

Boland 25 (10) – Tries: Abré Griessel, Ghudian van Reenen, Keanu Philander, Nayren Solomons. Conversion: Van Reenen. Penalty: Van Reenen. Leopards 10 (3) – Try: Penalty Try. Penalty: Dean Snyders.

Valke 35 (14) – Tries: Riekerd Bornman (2), Zander Zaayman, Eduard Olivier, Joseph Skosana. Conversions: Olivier (5). Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (12) – Tries: Junior Sethaba, Shane Mushwana. Conversion: Tiaan van den Heever.

Pumas XV 28 (7) – Tries: Corné Janse van Rensburg (2), Deacon Pretorius, Boetie Mangane. Conversions: Christo Nel (4). Griqualand West 25 (15) – Tries: Thumi Masenge, Georgio Farmer, Theron van der Merwe. Conversions: Carlo Louw (2). Penalties: Louw (2).

Iqhawe XV 45 (26) – Tries: Xhanti Wakie (2), Andy Myosana (2), Cullen Smith, Mawande Mdanda, Lee Hartzenberg. Conversions: Wessie Odendaal (5). Border Country Districts 7 (7) – Try: Lukhanyo Mniki. Conversion: Aluve Stemela.

Zimbabwe 41 (10) – Tries: Alex Nyamunda (2), Panashe Zuze, Tanaka Ndoro, Tamuka Kambani, Happias Zhou. Conversions: Zvinoda Chikoto (3). Penalty: Chikoto. Namibia 14 (7) – Tries: Ethan Koopman, Owen Hawanga. Conversions: Koopman (2).

More stories on the Grant Khomo Week of 2019: 

Results – Day 2 – Grant Khomo Week 2019
Results – Day 1 – Grant Khomo Week 2019
All ready to play in White River for the Grant Khomo en u13 Craven Week
Teams for the Grant Khomo Week of 2019

 

The Sharks managed to spoil Western Province’s party at the annual u13 Craven Week at Rob Ferreira in White River. The team from KwaZulu-Natal shocked Western Province by 26-24 to be crowned unofficial champions of the tournament. 

This spoiled Western Province’s party as they were attempting to be crowned unofficial champions for the seventh successive time. 

This was only Western Province’s fourth defeat in their last 44 matches at this prestigious event. It also ended their unbeaten record that stretched from the first match of the 2013 tournament. Their last defeat before Friday’s against the Sharks was against the Blue Bulls in 2012 (19-8). 

The other two defeats during their last 44 clashes at the Craven Week were also in the main matches against the Eastern Province (0-12) and Limpopo Blue Bulls (6-8) in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

More to follow… 

Scorers: 

Sharks 26 (19) – Tries: Sisonke Ndlela (3), Penalty Try. Conversions: Ramatuku Sikhakhane (2). Western Province 24 (7) – Tries: Chris Jordaan (2), Simthandile Mafuya, David Simon. Conversions: Simon (2).

 

Boland 71 (36) – Tries: Cheswill Jooste (4), Clemintino Thompson (2), Latino Mentoor (2), Haygen Opperman (2), Kieran Smith. Conversions: Viaan Mentoor (5), Dequinne de Bruyn (3). Griffons 5 (0) – Try: Rylen Kirsten.

South Western Districts 45 (5) – Tries: Kurt Coetzee (2), Rowan Mafutu (2), Erick Steyn, Keanon Jantjies, Aza Gabada. Conversions: Jantjies (3), Coetzee (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (15) – Tries: Risima Kosa, Liam Santos. Conversion: Andrew Stopforth. Penalty: Stopforth.

Leopards 26 (7) – Tries: Clayton Wright, Geoffrey French, Cohen Witbaai, Zulu Khumalo. Conversions: Lhuandré Pretorius (3). Free State 12 (0) – Tries: Divan Roux, Pieter van der Merwe. Conversion: Kamo Mokoena.

The South African Schools selectors could pick a strong side for the international series against England, Wales, France and Argentina later this year. Like we’ve done annually in the past, School of Rugby decided to pick our SA Schools’ side as per the performances we witnessed throughout the year. 

Like the SA Schools’ selectors would have to do we also took cognisance of the fact 50% of the squad of 28 will have to consist out of players of colour. It was however not too difficult this year to adhere to this guidelines as set-out in SA Rugby’s Strategic Transformation Plan. 

The selectors will be watching all the players on their radar and even these not yet on their radar closely during next week’s 56th Craven Week at Grey College in Bloemfontein. 

Only four players from last year’s SA Schools’ squad – eighth-man Keke Morabe (Welkom Gimnasium), scrumhalf Jurich Claassens (Garsfontein), hooker Jacques Goosen and flanker Jarrod Taylor (both Selborne College) will be available for selection again next week. 

Claassens and Dylan “Bobby” Alexander (Paarl Gimnasium) have been the form scrum-halves on the schoolboy rugby scene this year. 

Our loose trio of Morabe, Pierich Siebert (Paarl Gimnasium) and Taylor is one that will instil fear in any international u19-side. If you also mention that Grey College’s George Cronjé, Monument’s Izan Esterhuizen and Northwood’s Siyemukela Ndlovu could be waiting on the bench you will have your opponents shivering. 

Oakdale Landbou’s Corné Rahl is not a polished diamond yet, but he shows a lot of promise. He will be at 2.03m and weighing in at 103kgs the tallest player in action during the prestigious Craven Week. He is also still in grade 11. Locking with him in our select XV is Dylan de Leeuw (1.99m; 101kg) of Paul Roos Gimnasium. 

The fight for the flyhalf position will be tough with Juandré Liebenberg (Framesby) and Jordan Hendriks (Glenwood) getting the nod from our side. But these spots could easily also have gone to Kade Wolhuter (Paul Roos Gimnasium) and Kian Meadon (Paarl Boys’ High) who will be the first-choice pivots for Western Province and WP XV respectively.

Then there is also Grey College and Free State’s kingpin, FC du Plessis, who has shown his class throughout the season thus far. Even from the smaller unions players like Martin Venter (Pumas) and Kyle Potgieter (Valke) could have successful careers after school. 

School of Rugby’s Select XV: 

15 Munashe Chaitezwi (Golden Lions), 14 Curwin Gertse (Western Province), 13 Henco van Wyk (Golden Lions), 12 Mntungwa Mapantsela (Border), 11 Pachal Ekeji (Free State), 10 Juandré Liebenberg (Eastern Province), 9 Jurich Claassens (Blue Bulls), 8 Keke Morabe (Griffons), 7 Pierich Siebert (Western Province), 6 Jarrod Taylor (Border), 5 Corné Rahl (South Western Districs), 4 Dylan de Leeuw (Western Province), 3 Sibusiso Shongwe (Golden Lions), 2 Jacques Goosen (Border), 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Free State). 

Players who we predict could complete the SA Schools’ squad of 28 players: Chyle van Zyl (Pumas), Rhynardt Rijnsburger (Western Province), Blaine Golden (Sharks), Ockie Barnard (Sharks), Izan Esterhuizen (Golden Lions), Siyemukela Ndlovu (Sharks), George Cronjé (Free State), Dylan Alexander (Western Province), Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks), Tyler Bocks (Western Province), Zeilinga Strydom (Blue Bulls), Angelo Osch (Western Province), Ian Small-Smith (Free State).

Read our previous SA Schools’ teams here: 

School of Rugby kies sy SA Skole-span vir 2018
SA Skole-span kan vanjaar so lyk

There is still a lot to play for during next week’s annual Craven Week tournament in Bloemfontein. There will be two teams chosen by the South African Schools’ selectors.

Two teams, SA Schools and SA Schools A, consisting of a group of 28 players each will play in an international series which includes the England, France, Wales and Argentina’s age group sides.

School of Rugby annually sifts through the team lists for the Craven Week and pick a list of player who we believe are the ones to look out for during this prestigious tournament.

This year’s Craven Week will be the 56th edition since the inaugural tournament back in 1964.

Players to Watch Out: 

Fullbacks: Munashe Chaitezwi (St Stithian’s College, Golden Lions), Sonwabo Sokoyi (Grey College, Free State), Elzandro Fredericks (Noord-Kaap, Griqualand West), Keane Galant (HTS Drostdy, Boland).

Wings: Curwin Gertse (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), Angelo Osch (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), Casten Michaels (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), Pachal Ekeji (Grey College, Free State), Marno April (Welkom Gimnasium, Griffons), Thabani Maguranyanga (St Stithians College, Golden Lions), Maurice Marks (Noordheuwel, Golden Lions XV).

Centres: Mntungwa Mapantsela (Selborne College, Border), Henco van Wyk (Monument, Golden Lions), Mnqobi Mkhize (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), Brandon Wilkie (Framesby, Eastern Province), Zeilinga Strydom (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), Tyler Bocks (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), Christiaan Vlok (HTS Middelburg, Pumas), Ian Small-Smith (Grey College, Free State).

Flyhalves: Juandré Liebenberg (Framesby, Eastern Province), Kade Wolhuter (Paul Roos, Western Province), FC du Plessis (Grey College, Free State), Jordan Hendrikse (Glenwood, Sharks), Kian Meadon (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), Kyle Potgieter (EG Jansen, Valke), Martin Venter (Secunda, Pumas).

Scrumhalves: Jurich Claassens (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), Dylan Alexander (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), Nico Steyn (Glenwood, Sharks), Juan-Dee Olivier (Grey College, Free State).

Eighthman: George Cronjé (Grey College, Free State), Keke Morabe (Welkom Gimnasium, Griffons), Gideon van Wyk (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), Izan Esterhuizen (Monument, Golden Lions), Stefan Swart (Diamantveld, Griqualand West), Massimo Fierro (Kearsney College, Sharks), Bennet Nortjé (Outeniqua, South Western Districts).

Flankers: Jarrod Taylor (Selborne College, Border), Pierich Siebert (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), Jacques Mostert (Boland Landbou, Western Province XV), Siyemukela Ndlovu (Northwood, Sharks), Renzo du Plessis (Ben Vorster, Limpopo Blue Bulls), Juandré Odendaal (EG Jansen, Valke), Simon Miller (St Alban’s College, Blue Bulls), Zander du Toit (Helpmekaar, Golden Lions).

Locks: Dylan de Leeuw (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Western Province), Ockie Barnard (Westville Boys’ High), Corné Rahl (Oakdale Landbou, South Western Districts), Raynard Roets (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), Jaryd Scheepers (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls XV).

Props: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Grey College, Free State), Sibusiso Shongwe (Jeppe, Golden Lions), Rhynhardt Rijnsburger (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), Blaine Golden (Glenwood, Sharks), Gerhard van der Merwe (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), Sipho Nzotho (Middelburg, Pumas), Heiko Pohlmann (Monument, Golden Lions), Zander Bezuidenhout (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), Tielman Nieuwoudt (Grey College, Free State).

Hookers: Jacques Goosen (Selborne College, Border), Chyle van Zyl (Nelspruit, Pumas), Leon Volschenk (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), Jacques-Lois du Toit (Affies, Blue Bulls), André-Hugo Venter (Grey College, Free State).

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Na vyf jaar is die Noord-Natal Lammergeiers uiteindelik weer die alleen die kampioen van die VKB-week. 

Die Lammergeiers het Suid-Vrystaat met 26-18 in die eindstryd van die toernooi op Piet Geyer-park in Reitz verslaan. Die Lammergeiers het laas in 2014 die kroon alleen gedra. Die span het wel in 2015 en 2018 die louere met die Luiperds gedeel. 

Die Lammergeiers se kantman Shuvaun Palm het die veld vol in die eindstryd gespeel. Palm was ook een van die voorste spelers te sien tydens die Spar-toernooi wat Dinsdag plaasgevind het. Dit maak sy woelige vertoning in die eindstryd nog meer merkwaardig. 

Die kampioen se vaskopstut, Juanre Botes, het ook ‘n wedstryd beleef wat hy nog vir lank sal koester. Botes het twee keer sy krag gebruik om oor die Suid-Vrystaters se doellyn te bars. Die Lammergeiers se losskakel, Siwela Minenhle, was nie net ‘n staatmaker met sy skopskoen nie, maar ook die groot planmaker agterlangs. 

Suid-Vrystaat se slot Nico Hendrikz het in die doodsnikke gaan druk om aan sy span se aanslag meer aansien te gee. Die span se loskopstut, Jesse Isemonger, het ook ‘n blink vertoning in die eindstryd gelewer. 

Suid-Vrystaat se regtervleuel, Pierre Malan, het die toekenning ontvang as die beste agterspeler van die toernooi. Die Luiperds se loskopstut, Hansie Pieterse, het met die toekenning as die Voorspeler van die Week ontvang. Die Speler van die Week was Sandveld se losskakel, Marco Bester.

Sandveld se heelagter, Jabulani Mculwani, het die #HeroDidi toekenning ontvang as die Spelers se Speler van die Week. Mculwani was uitstaande deurgans en is welverdiend die eerste houer van die toekenning. 

Puntemakers: 

Noord-Natal Lammergeiers 26 (14) – Driee: Juanre Botes (2), Sandile Masondo, Janco Pistorius. Doelskoppe: Siwele Minenhle (4). Suid-Vrystaat 18 (6) – Drie: Jesse Isemonger, Nico Hendrikz. Doelskop: Damien Erasmus. Strafdoele: Erasmus (2).

Sandveld 38 (14) – Driee: Jabulani Mculwani (2), Mahlako Kamahelo, Keagan Human. Doelskoppe: Marco Bester (3). Strafdoele: Bester (4). Rooikatte 13 (6) – Drie: Zenrich Niemand. Doelskop: Jayden Jeanes. Strafdoele: Delano de Leeuw (2).

Luiperds 46 (22) – Driee: Malan Labuschagne (2), Dehan van Zyl, Wessel Nortman, Henru van Wyk, Jacques Scheepers, Pieter Heymans. Doelskoppe: Van Wyk (4). Strafdoel: Van Wyk. Suid-Natal 7 (0) – Drie: Martin Fourie. Doelskop: Duncan Vroom.

Vrystaat Kiewiete 18 (5) – Driee: Andre Jordaan, Juan Smith. Doelskop: Tiaan Basson. Strafdoele: Basson (2). Oos-Vrystaat 14 (7) – Driee: Carl Naude, Soasisa Mofokeng. Doelskoppe: Tokollo Lemako (2).

Panthers 26 (5) – Driee: Jason Volschenk, David Atkintola, Nathan van der Linde. Doelskop: Thato Letsholo. Strafdoele: Letsholo (3). Living Ball 12 (7) – Driee: AJ van der Sandt, Mashome Tshabalala. Doelskop: JF Groenewald.

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A game-changing 73-run partnership between Rohail Nazir and Haris Khan was the difference as Pakistan defeated the Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s by four wickets in the second Youth One-Day International (ODI) in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.

The triumph gives the tourist a two-nil lead in the series, with five matches to play.

After a delayed start due to a wet pitch, the match was restricted to a 47-over contest. The home side posted an underwhelming 215 all out in 44 overs before Pakistan replied with 218/6 in 39.5 overs thanks in main to two half-centuries from Nazir (67 off 81 balls; 10 fours, 1 six) and Khan (60* off 53 balls; 9 fours).

With the bat, South Africa made an indifferent start after they found themselves three down in the seventh over, with Akhtar Shah and Naseem Shah (3/30) exploiting the overcast conditions early on. Despite wickets falling around him, opening batsman Andrew Louw stuck around.

He formed two partnerships in the thirties with Khanya Cotani (17) and Micheal Copeland (7) before combining with Gerald Coetzee (29) for a vital 60-run stand for the seventh wicket, which saw the tall Northern Cape-born batter reach his maiden Youth ODI fifty.

The right-hander then became A. Shah’s second scalp of the day, as he was eventually out for a well-played 91 (off 114 balls; 13 fours, 1 six), with the fast bowler then wrapping up the hosts’ innings and ending with figures of 3/42.

Pakistan’s outing with the bat started in a similar fashion as their opponent’s, with SA under-19s captain, Bryce Parsons (2/46) once again shining with the ball, taking two early wickets after opening the attack with Achille Cloete (2/34).

Although they found themselves struggling at 28/3, Nazir teamed up with Qasim Akram (22) and Khan to help rebuild the innings, scoring at well over five an over in the middle periods.

Despite the loss of Nazir’s wicket, Khan soldiered on under the increased pressure from South Africa and found a suitable partner in Irfan Niazi, who’s unbeaten 33 propelled the sub-continent outfit to victory with over seven overs to spare.

Khan was named the Man of the Match as he finished unbeaten at the crease to see his side home.

The two sides will just have one day’s rest before the third Youth ODI, taking place on Thursday, 27 June at the City Oval from 09h00. Regular updates will be available through Cricket South Africa’s platforms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cricketsouthafrica) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/officialcsa).

Coca-Cola South Africa U19 squad: Bryce Parsons (captain, Gauteng), Luke Beaufort (Eastern Province), Jonathan Bird (Western Province), Achille Cloete (Boland), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Khanya Cotani (North West), Micheal Copeland (Gauteng), Andrew Louw (Free State), Akeem Minnaar (Boland), Lifa Ntanzi (KZN Coastal), Imraan Philander (Western Province), Siya Plaatjie (Western Province), Ruan Terblanche (Boland), Tiaan van Vuuren (Eastern Province), Nonelela Yikha (Border).