The Boys u18 Craven Week format feels dated — hopefully the powers that be can get together and come up with a long-overdue makeover soon.
The brand new seeding model is rooted firmly in the past, relying on results from the last two U18 Craven Weeks, U18 Academy Weeks and U18 Grant Khomo Weeks.
A better system would be performance-driven. Let the top 12 play on Day 2, then select the four teams for the main semi-finals and the next four for the Plate semi-finals on Thursday. The bottom four move into the Bowl semi-finals. Day 1 and Day 3 should focus on the smaller unions, ideally bolstered by a handful of big-union B teams.
Craven Week 2026 will be held at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
| U18 CRAVEN WEEK 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 : Mon 06-Jul-2026 | ||||||
| u18 | Boland | vs | Leopards | u18 | ||
| u18 | Free State | vs | Limpopo | u18 | ||
| u18 | WP | vs | EP | u18 | ||
| u18 | Sharks | vs | SWD | u18 | ||
| Day 2 : Tue 07-Jul-2026 | ||||||
| u18 | Border | vs | Valke | u18 | ||
| u18 | Griquas | vs | Pumas | u18 | ||
| u18 | WP XV | vs | Griffons | u18 | ||
| u18 | Bulls | vs | Lions | u18 | ||
It was always supposed to have been a celebration of schoolboy rugby ,there were never supposed to be a seeding system
Based on the new format, the KZN Sharks are now the number one seeds
@Grey Brak (Comment #3)
The brand new seeding model is rooted firmly in the past, relying on results from the last two U18 Craven Weeks, U18 Academy Weeks and U18 Grant Khomo Weeks.
Based on log points from the 2025 Craven Week the Free State team will play in one of the final two matches on day 1 or 2.
@agter_die_pale_pa (Comment #1)
Tot die Kaap die kitaar slaan sal die aanhou gebeur.
Would love to hear the Bulls’ and Lions’ thoughts. If I am not mistaken it will be the 3rd year in a row they will cancel each other out in the first round.