COCA-COLA HERO OF THE DAY (DAY 4)

Lionel April from Boland was recognised as the fourth Coca-Cola Hero of the Day for the 2018 U18 Coca-Cola® Craven Week taking place at Paarl Boys High.

The sought-after Coca-Cola Hero of the Day award is presented on each day of the tournament in recognition of a game changing ‘hero’ moment.  Lionel was selected for the award by a Coca-Cola appointed Hero of the Day Panel, led by Springbok legend Akona Ndungane.

Lionel had a fantastic day today with many moments that could have made him the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day. He scored 14 out of his team’s 19 points including two tries, but the moment that really stood out was his first try. The Blue Bulls were right on his try line and had an overlap and was aware that if he did not do something they would score a try. Lionel watched the ball go down the Blue Bulls backline at the right moment, he broke formation and intercepted the ball, ran the length of the field to score a try. His interception turned a certain 7 points for the Blue Bulls into 7 points for Boland.

“Many of my team mates played well today and I was surprised to win the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day. It is not often that Boland beat one of the top unions in the country. I am proud that we managed to win this game today,” said Lionel.

“I was impressed with the way that Lionel read the game and saw that the Blue Bulls would overlap and made a decision to break his line to stop the Blue Bulls from scoring and in turn scoring a try. That kind of vision is great to see in someone so young and he deserved to win the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day,’ reflected Akona.

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Media Contact

Shawn Belluigi

Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za

About the Coca-Cola® Craven Week

The Coca-Cola® Craven Week is an annual rugby union tournament aimed at identifying the top school rugby players in the country. The tournament started in July 1964, and is named after the legendary Springbok rugby union player and coach Dr Danie Craven.  Coca-Cola® became the naming rights sponsor in 1985. There are four tournaments that take place during the Coca-Cola® Youth Weeks, namely the Coca-Cola® U/13 Craven Week, Coca-Cola® U/16 Grant Khomo Week, Coca-Cola® U/18 Academy Week and the Coca-Cola® U/18 Craven Week.  Many of South Africa’s top rugby players have participated in the Coca-Cola® Craven Weeks as a springboard to their professional careers including former World Cup winning captain’s John Smit and Francois Pienaar.

About The Coca-Cola® Company
The Coca-Cola® Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola®, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola® Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages.  More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work