Intune Communications and Entertainment

The second day of the Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week at the Afrikaanse Hoer Skool (Affies) promised to be a day filled with action and potential upsets. With Springbok lock Bakkies Botha in the stands, and the Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions game on the cards, fans knew that a special day was ahead of them. The day started with SWD proving too strong for tournament under dogs Namibia, who have suffered heavy defeats in both their games played. Limpopo continued to play good rugby and were rewarded with an impressive 27- 7 win over Free State, and are looking like the team to beat at this year’s tournament.

Zimbabwe, who started the tournament well after beating Griquas in their opening match 15 - 7, were unable to repeat this performance and went down 15 – 7 to the Valke.

The game of the day, and possibly the tournament, saw the Blue bulls up against the Golden Lions. With the Bulls playing at home many anticipated a win, however it was not to be. The lions dominated the game from the moment the first whistle blew and seemed the hungrier of the two sides, eventually walking away with a convincing 8 – 3 victory against their arch rivals.  The Powerade Chosen One of the match, Nathan Macbeth from the Lions, had nothing but praise for his opponents: “Beating the Bulls on their own turf means a lot to me and the team. We have great respect for the Bulls, they are a brilliant side and to beat them at The Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week is really special”.

The loss puts the Bulls out of contention for the final, however with Western Province and KwaZulu Natal playing brilliant rugby, despite KZN losing to Eastern Province in a highly entertaining game, fans can be certain to be entertained until the final whistle blows to signal the end of the tournament on Friday. With no games being played tomorrow the young players and coaches will take part in a special Legends Coaching Clinic which will be headed by Ian MacCintosh and Pieter Muller.

Of the 40 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has been part of the week for the past 26, a statistic the company is proud of.  “Coca-Cola sponsors tournaments at the highest level and we are fully aware that no country can be successful without a strong development programme in place and Coca-Cola has played a major role in finding Springboks.  More than 90 percent of the current squad have competed in one of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks,” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

Abrahams said further: “But the four weeks we are involved with, namely the Coca-Cola U13, Academy, Under 16 and Under 18 weeks are also about living for a difference and living a healthy lifestyle.  These are the messages we also promote throughout each tournament.”

The first Under 13 Craven Week took place in Potchefstroom on 3 July back in 1972.  Forgetting to book referees was one of the teething problems the local organising committee had to contend with.  But this is history and the tournament is now established and one every young rugby player strives to compete in.

Results

SWD 17           vs.     Namibia 0

Boland 12       vs.    Border CP 17

Valke 15         vs.    Zimbabwe 7

Free State    vs.   Limpopo 27

Bulls 3            vs.    Lions 8

Leopards 10  vs. Pumas 11

WP 32           vs.     Border 14

EP 11             vs.     KZN 5