Great excitement and loud cheers greeted Springbok Legends, Pieter Muller, Krynauw Otto, Warren Brosnihan, Werner Swanepoel and Johan Ackerman when they arrived at the Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week, currently underway at the Afrikaanse Hoer Skool (Affies), today.
The legends were there to conduct a coaching clinic to help the boys further develop their mental attitude, ball skills and understanding of the game. Muller’s message to the coaches was to start at the bottom and make sure that players grasp the basics of the game at this stage of their development. He also reminded them not to take the fun out of the game by being too competitive and just focusing on winning.
Muller, who is passionate about rugby development was impressed with the talent on display: “Based on what I’ve seen here today it is hard not to be optimistic about the future of South African Rugby.” Although optimistic Muller has identified some challenges: “There is still a significant skills gap between players from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from the traditional Rugby environment. The main purpose of such initiatives is to raise awareness of such challenges and focus on minimising that gap”.
Judging by the enthusiasm of the players and their comments after the clinic, they all felt inspired and determined to show off their newly acquired skills when the Coca-Cola Craven Week games resume tomorrow
The Loftus Versveld management has agreed to allow the boys to play on their sacred field thereby giving them the opportunity to experience what it is like to play on the very same field their heroes play on and also get a feeling of the stadium atmosphere.
Tomorrow’s proceedings kick-off with the Leopards up against Boland. Key matches will see the Blue Bulls taking on Limpopo and the much anticipated game between Western Province and the Lions. The day ends with Zimbabwe up against Namibia.
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.
30 June: Fixtures
- Leopards vs. Boland
- Pumas vs. KZN
- EP vs. Border CD
- Bulls vs. Limpopo
- WP vs. Lions
- Border vs. Valke
- Free State vs. Griquas
- Griffons vs. SWD
- Zimbabwe vs. Namibia
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| Greg Muller speaks to the boys |
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| Johan Ackerman and Krynauw Otto |
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| Pieter Muller |
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| Warren Brosnihan and Wim Meyer |
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| Warren Brosnihan during the Springbok ledgens coaching |
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| Werner Swanepoel and Pieter Muller |
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| Wim Meyer and Pieter Muller |
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