Craven Week starts on Monday 13 July 2015. In some positions like lock, loose-forward and flyhalf, the selectors will be blessed for choice. However in others like hooker, scrumhalf and outside centre (the last two being national problem areas along with tighthead prop), quality might not be in great abundance.
A few of the top contenders have been forced to drop out due to injury – Gerhard Steenekamp (Potch Gim), Louwtjie Steenkamp (Grey College), Dian Gouws (Grey College), Morgan Steyn (Selborne) and Tristan Dixon (Kearsney). There are possibly others as well.
Who will you be keeping an eye on at Craven Week?
@Andre T: JP Smith a very talented player played at tight head prop for WP and was the star of the show at Vanderbijlpark against the Bulls.He scored a hattrick of tries. Must be some sort of a record at a final by a tight head.
Sterkte aan ons Vrystaat seuns met die 2015 Craven Week.
Geniet julle rugby en die res sal self gebeur.
@Andre T:
If that blonde bulls 10 looks like a quality player with a pack going backwards imagine what he will look like with good forward ball..
@Andre T: Hi André I was told that JP Smith played at tighthead for WP yesterday.
Bradley Thain was injured and therefore Deon Carstens played at 9 for WP yesterday as well.
@Andre T: Thanks for the team list Andre.
@KznDad: Which KZN players impressed you?
@Rugger fan: He played at 10 yesterday…….he is not bad…….a bit too left footed
How did Simpson from DHS do (KZN #9)? He seemed to do OK with the boot – coming back from injury.
@KznDad: The Bulls 10 very good player but let’s give him another year to develop.
If Demetri Catrakilis is the top point scorer in Super Rugby…….should he be automatically in Springbok team???????
The Bulls were a very ordinary team….in fact below average….and so was KXN
@Andre T: Have you seen the bulls fly half was leading point scorer with 57 points. He is not included in your team of the tournement? Only one bulls player in your team of the tournement. Mmm I think it won’t be to out of the ordinary to say I disagree. Only 2 Kzn players as well. Lots of WP players. I assume you from the western cape?
@Vyfster: Max Thalwitzer is beslis nie te oud nie en ek stem saam dat hy ‘n goeie speler is.
ACADEMY WEEK
Team of the Tournament
1 Lambertus Smith WP Boland Landbou
2 Noko Nala Lions Jeppe
3 Muammir Salie WP Paul Roos
4 Maruis Kruger OFS Grey College
5 Andrew Evans KZN Clifton
6 Charl Serdyn WP HJS Paarl
7 Donovan Stevens OP Brandwag
8 Nico Fouche Lions Bastion
9 Zinedene Booysen SWD Oakdale
10 Jordan Chait WP SACS
11 Marjaahid v d Hoven WP Rylands
12 Khail Kotzenberg Boland Vredendal
13 Marnus Boshoff OVS Grey College
14 Johan v d Walt OVS Grey College
15 Tristan Leyds WP Bishops
16 Andries Esterhuizen Griffons Welkom Gim
17 Tiaan Coetzee OP Grey High
18 Letho Dlamini Lions Linden
19 Luke Fortuin Bulls Garsfontein
20 Sibonakaliso Dubazane KZN Glenwood
21 Keenan Williams Boland New Orleans
22 Lubelo Scott WP Bishops
23 Chuiner v Rooyen Lions Helpmekaar
Akademie Week Dag 3
Span van die dag (Slegs A veld spanne in ag geneem)
1 Jordan Els KZN Westville
2 Liam Larkan WP SACS
3 Muammir Salie WP Paul Roos
4 Francois Karg Bulls Waterkloof
5 Henco Meyers SWD Outeniqua
6 Byron Ferreira Griffons Welkom Gim
7 Martin Mangwiro Lions Jeppe
8 Kobus Lombard OFS Sentraal
9 Bradley Thain WP HJS Paarl
10 Keenan Williams Boland New Orleans
11 Marjaahid vd Hoven WP Rylands
12 Khail Kotzenberg Boland Vredendal
13 Kurt Eybers SWD Oakdale
14 Johan v d Walt OFS Grey College
15 James Mao-Cheia Boland Hermanus
16 Nolo Naka Lions Jeppe
17 Cohen Kiewit Boland Hugenote
18 Dylan Aploon Griffons Goudveld
19 Luke Fortuin Bulls Garsfontein
20 Zinedene Booysen SWD Oakdale
21 Chuiner v Rooyen Lions Helpmekaar
22 Lebelo Scott WP Bishops
23 Xavier Swartbooi SWD Oakdale
@Andre T: Hi Andre. Please publish your picks for team of Academy Week if you can.
In my opinion Jordan Chait was the player of the tournament along with Zinedene Booysen ( 9 ….SWD ), Charl Serdyn (6 HJS Paarl ) and Keenan Williams ( 9, 10 and 15……Boland )
@TuksStudent: http://www.supersport.com/aa.aspx?t=date&v=4&view=full Die skedule volgens Supersport. Uitsending begin 8.15 Maandag.
@TuksStudent: Bo-aan die blog is ‘n lys. Gaan na die opskrif “Craven Week” en klik daarop. Gaan af en jy sal die bepalings kry vir die eerste 2 dae. Ek dink die wedstryde begin 9.00
13-Jul Namibia Border CD
13-Jul Boland Limpopo BB
13-Jul Pumas Border
13-Jul Free State Griffons
13-Jul Western Province Blue Bulls
14-Jul Griquas CD Zimbabwe
14-Jul Valke Eastern Province CD
14-Jul Leopards Griquas
14-Jul KwaZulu-Natal Golden Lions
14-Jul Eastern Province South Western Districts
Beet, Het jul al n proegram wie speel wie op dag1 en dag2 asb
Beet,Dankie vir jou positiewe kommentaar oor Crauseons dink hy gaan baie goed doen op CW .
@Grasshopper: Yeah. He has been struggling to stay fit all season long so a big challenge for him to be 100% match fit by next week. The Sharks have signed him and believe he is SA Schools material.
@TuksStudent: No. I’ve watched him play at KERF and on TV. That’s the closest I’ve come to meeting him. Reminds me a little of a young injury free Andre Pretorius at times.
I noticed you make a lot of comments about him so assumed you were a relative of his.
Beet, Nee glad nie ons het die voorreg gehad om Crause te ontmoet by die Grant Khomo twee jaar terug toe hy vir die Noordvaal span gekies was om oor see tegaan toer wat n aangename kind is hy nie ,nie net op die veld nie maar ook van die veld af dis van daar wat ons hom dop hou want ons hou van sy spel vir al op 10 en het hom al sien speel op 15 waar hy net so goed doen.Daar word baie van hom gepraat en ons hou daar van .Hoekom vra jy ken jy die kind het jy hom al self ontmoet ?
I would watch Khuthazani Mchunu from KZN, if he is fit he is a beast!
@Andre T: That is a harsh comment to a very talented player. I have whatched him the whole academy week since everyone was talking about him on the blog. He Played to perfection al 3 games at the academy week. The WP kid you mentioned stepped the bulls fly half twice, the comment of runningg circles around him does not justify his immaculate performance on the day (&the whole tournement) other than the two tackles he slipped, which was not crucial at all. To the WP forward pack, WOW! If the WP academy week pack is that good, then their CW paxk must be something to whatch out for.
@beet: I agree with Andre on the fact that the WP flyhalf came past the bulls flyhalf om 2 occations, in midfield, on one of the two the bulls flyhalf got hold of his jeyrsey. But I do not agree with Andre’s mention “the WP flyhalf he ran circles around the Bulls flyhalf”. Other than that the Bulls flyhalf was a cut anove the WP flyhalf in all other facests of the game, hence being much more under preasure with a sub par Bulls pack, against an amazing WP pack. To sum it up, tactical kicking, goal kicking, putting his backline away, skills level and ability to be a game changer, the Bulls fly half took it. The WP flyhalf beat the Bulls flyhalf on 1/2 occations with ball in hand, but other than that, he had a quiet game, not a bad one, just a quiet one. Thats my view, hence the fact the fly half main purpose is letting his backline run, tactical kicking, and pin point accuracy goal kicking (I am unsure why the WP flyhalf did not kick for goal), all which the bulls fly half done correct 99% of the time. What I want to add is the nr 12 and 13 of the WP was amazing, I think the 13 played on wing, electric player.
The battle for the no.7 jersey promises to be off the chart as well:
Players like Jurie Burger and Ernst van Rhyn are very good and bound to be strong challengers
@Pedantic: Still a very good prop.Definitely one to look out for
@MenloPa: Andre has mentioned the WP no.10. What did you think of his performance against the Bulls?
@Vyfster: There are some really good no.8’s on show.
Personally I’m looking forward to watching Hanru Sirgel of Grens play. So many good things have been said about his play.
Also Eduan Lubbe of the Bulls and Renaldo Ferreira of SWD will be strong players for sure.
@Muzi: I agree. The two Oakdale locks deserve a mention along with Nothnagel of Monnas. I think 2015 has been an unusually good year for quality 2m tall locks.
@Muzi: Hopefully Eddie Fouche goes out and shows all what he’s capable of on Monday. He has put in a few very influential performances this season.
@Muzi: I don’t know if its even worth betting money anywhere else. Stassen will be a Bulls player next year.
@Muzi: Hopefully after Tuesday you will never be able to forget who Pretorius is for all the right reasons.
@TheGoose: Shoulder injury during the SBR season – missed Hilton because of it.
Responded well to physio but re-injured at Bondedag and after an MRI scan he had to withdraw.
b.t.w, wat het van daardie Thalwitzer vleuel van Paarl Gim geword?
Of is hy te oud vir cravenweek?……die bietjie wat ek op tv gesien het, het hy na ‘n uitstaande speler gelyk…
Daar is hope goeie nr 8’sdie jaar…….Rheeder, Palvie en Massyn springs to mind……maar hou gerus vir Stefan Engelbrecht van Limpopo dop……die mannetjie is nog 0/17, maar hy het baie potensiaal
Baie ineterssante spankeuses hierbo deur die paneel.
Ek het so bietjie gaan rondkrap op die webblaaie van die verskillende skole om te kyk watter historiese inligting gekry kan word. Dit blyk vaag te wees oor algemeen maar die mees interessantste inligting kom uit http://www.affiesrugby.co.za
As mens rondkrap daar kry jy n lekker oorhoofse siening van CW en Akademie week rugby. Hierdie skakel werp baie lig op skole en prestasie op skole nasionale vlak in die Blou Bul wêreld:
http://www.affiesrugby.co.za/blog/-skole-se-bydrae-tot-die-blou-bulle-craven-week-span-1970-2015
Wat kommerwekkend is, is die prestasie van die BB die afgelope paar jaar tydens die CW. Ek dink dieslfde gaan die jaar die geval wees.
Die o/16 BB Grant Khomo span kom kop onderstebo terug uit die volstruis dorp. Die Akademie span het bietjie beter gevaar.
Moet die BB-unie die skoonmaak proses van afrigters deurtrek van SupeRugby tot o/13? En terwyl hulle dit doen sommer die “scouting” bus ook aflaai en nuut oplaai?
@Muzi.Bader played WP u/13 Craven Week,Sharks u/16 Grant Khomo and was their Grant Khomo player of the year in 2013 ,Sharks Academy week in 2014 and in 2015 Michaelhouse captain as well as Sharks Craven Week 2015.Brilliant goal kicker,attacker and defender.I think you are just teasing everybody by saying you don’t know him.
@beet: What is wrong with Tristan Dixon? What injury and where/when did he pick it up?
If so – thats a huge blow…
@Muzi: Bot@Muzi: Thought you would have the inside scoop … I’m sure a couple of those names in your post will be sharing your colours in 2016
Bader had an outstanding 2014 Academy Week – been big talk about him since he was 15 so definitely not a fly by night.
@TuksStudent: Sorry not Andre’s error but mine. Andre had him down as Valke all along. I added the incorrect school name.
How are you related to Crause? Brother, father, uncle?
Vlei his heard of Badr believe you me!!! His just pretending to be stupid!!! Oh no sorry his from the Bulls he is
@Muzi: yes he is the real deal. Bader is an outstanding player, I am really surprised you haven’t heard of him
The SA Schools locks will be Ruben de Villiers and Hendre Stassen
@Muzi: No Muzi they are not related.
I wonder who saw Jordan Chait run circles around the Bulls 10 today?
Len Massyn?!?! is he Chris Massyn’s little boet or what?!?!
Bader Pretorius?!?!…haven’t a clue who this kid..is he really the real deal?!?! or just some “fly-by-night” player?!?!
I don’t want Curwin Bosch near a Bulls jersey signing him will be a total waste of money…it’s not that I don’t rate the player at all…quite frankly that 10 jersey is for Pollard’s to lose…let’s not forget about Stander, Marais, that blonde dude Schoeman and that little general De Beer…
I wonder where Hendre Stassen will end up in 2016….lately judging by his instagram posts…he’s been spending some time training at the Bulls….must say that Ruben Van Heerden is a quality player….a special shout out to those two Oakdale locks..Ewan and Adre you boys have a bright future….
I don’t pay much attention to schoolboy rugby these days…but why in the blue hell is Ruan de Swardt that gifted Affies flyhalf
not playing Craven Week?!?! :roll:…Eddie Fouche is built like a 12….and quite frankly his game management, goal kicking and tactical acumen can be at times woeful…..
@noordwes: At 2014 Craven Week, Bruce-Smith was on many people’s shortlist as an U17 – have you managed to see any of his games this season ?
The academy week just ended, well done to the WP beating the Bulls. Three plyers who was outstanding in the final was the centre pair of the WP. Electric players. The 3rd one being the fly half of the bulls, 57 Points in 3 games, probably leading point scorer of the tournement, solid as a rock, his goal kicking in the tournement if far beyond 80%, his skill ability with ball in hand, tactical kicking and ability to put other players in gaps is simply amazing. He is solid game after game. It will be an exiting craven week, the likes of the 2 centres of WP, and Flyhalf of the bulls academy side will be great competition for the boys starting the cravenweek for the green and gold jersey.
I Vermeulen 13 Leopards
AndreT. VALKE 10(Crause) is nie by Affies op skool nie is in E G op skool.
From KZN Perspective:
I would expect Marco Palvie & Bader Pretorius to be very strong contenders for 8 & 10 respectively.
Nama Xaba has adjusted very well to the # 6 position and could challenge for a spot in one of the SA teams as he can cover 3 positions. I think he will surprise many on Tuesday when KZN take on the Lions.
Victor Foster has X-factor and on attack is quite similar to Morne Joubert as a SBR player – if he can show selectors he has the tactical kicking and defense required at 15 he could be in with a shout.
We will invariably see a few U17’s in the SA Schools side – Prinsloo is one of the best all round SBR players I’ve ever seen and with some luck could be in with shout.
There is a lot of talk about Mchunu at tighthead but haven’t seen enough of him to speculate.