RESILIENT LIMPOPO BLUE BULLS VICTORIOUS IN UNDER 13 COCA-COLA CRAVEN WEEK

A truly epic and nail biting finale to the Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week saw the Limpopo Blue Bulls beat Western Province 8 – 6 to be crowned the 2011 Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week champions. With a never say die and fearless approach to their game, the team from Limpopo are deserved winners of this prestigious tournament.

The final produced the same high quality Rugby that has been seen throughout the tournament.  Western Province produced some magic of their own dominating proceedings from the first whistle. The team from the Mother City went into the break with a narrow 3 – 0 lead setting the stage for a grand finale.

The second half undoubtedly produced the finest performance of the tournament. The side from Limpopo ran onto the field with renewed determination and put on a show that everyone will remember. In a great show of resilience and character, the Bulls took advantage of a tiring Western Province backline scoring a try in the late stages of the game to take a narrow lead. But Western Province fought back, winning and converting a penalty three minutes from time. The mighty Limpopo Bulls showed their mettle in the dying minutes of the game when Schalk Erasmus converted a penalty that put the game out of reach for Western Province.

A clearly emotional Limpopo Bulls captain, Gavin Nel, who also won the Powerade Chosen One of the Match, was overcome with joy:”This is the greatest feeling in the world; I don’t know how to describe it. We had to defend hard against a great Western Province side, but at the end of the day teamwork won this game for us.”

The Coca-Cola under 13 week is the first step in any rugby player’s career and witnessing the great performances by so many youngsters this week can only make one feel positive about the future. The standard and quality of play had many supporters in awe.

Overall the 2011 Under 13 Coca-Cola Craven Week was a grand success and provided the players with valuable experience which will benefit them throughout their careers. The teams from Zimbabwe and Namibia truly cherished the chance of competing in South Africa in a tournament of this magnitude and as for the home team, well the supporters went home hopeful of success at next year’s event.

“To all the boys who competed in this year’s Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week – Greatness truly beckons!” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

“Another year is over and from a Coca-Cola perspective we trust all the youngsters picked up knowledge that will help better their rugby skills and prepare them for the next step in the journey to success – the Coca-Cola Under 16 Grant Khomo week.”

Abrahams said further: “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.”

Pictures from the final will come later this evening.

Today’s Results

Boland Cavaliers 35, Griffons 5
Griquas 19, Namibia 0
KwaZulu Natal 10, Border 17
Valke 18, South Western Districts 0
Platinum Leopards 15, Border CD 0
Zimbabwe 10, Free State 41
Blue Bulls 5, Pumas 18
Golden Lions 18, Eastern Province 7
Western Province 6, Limpopo Blue Bulls 8

Gianni Lombard during the match between Griffons and Boland on day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Johan Pelser during the match between Border Country Districts and Leopards day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Johannes Botha tackled during the match between Griffons and Boland on day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Knocks Stevens and Raynard van Tonder tackle Salmaan Moerat during the match between Griffons and

Louis van Wyk scores during the match between Griffons and Boland on day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Rick Jordaan during the match between Griffons and Boland on day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Slindokuhle Nkabinde during the match between Border and KZN day 5 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool