Once again the Southern Suburbs have so much to offer in terms of the quality of players. If they were to combine with the two leading Northern Suburbs schools, they could produce a formidable Cape Town team for Craven Week. Under current normal circumstances, Cape Town schools combined with the evergreen Winelands schools to form Western Province, often the Craven Week champions elect. In terms of the depth in the province, it’s a no-brainer that Western Province should have at least two Craven Week teams every year, split in some form or another. Even a third choice WP team would perform admirably at the premier provincial youth week for under-18 players.
For KZN, Craven Week trials get into full swing soon after Easter. The province has a wealth of options for the backline but in order to be competitive on the wet fields of Rondebosch during July, selectors are going to have to adapt a big picture attitude and decide carefully about which forwards will be able to hold their own in terms of the physical demands while delivering enough skills, conditioning, and importantly specialist attributes per position, especially in the tight-five, where resources appear to be thin.
For fun, age-groups and citizenship ignored, here are my picks for the two regions:
@beet Jack Waterhouse at lock for Hilton looked excellent at the St. John’s Easter fest. Any thoughts?
@Oki5016: Hi. Okkie like the Rondebosch flank Blackmore have been great so far this season to I’m trying to pay them dues but as u19s they are not eligible for an u18 Youth Week team this year. I think there might be a few others who also do not qualify.
@beet . I do not know if with Covid the rules have changed, but Okkie Schonken, your Westville pick turns 19 on 11 November this year. Does this make him eligeble for the team or does he fall U/19 with Boksmart rules and thus not allowed for selection?