PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR AT THE COCA-COLA UNDER-18 CRAVEN WEEK

The Coca-Cola Craven Week has always been a talent-spotters paradise and over the years there have always been those who would speculate about those players who we are likely to see more of in the years to come.

The week was last in these parts in 2000 and the records show that The Pumas beat Boland 19-18 in the main game of that week. It must have been a memorable final and even more noteworthy would have been the crop of outstanding players on the field.

The Eastern Province side that year was captained by Luke Watson, and he was joined by no fewer than eight other players who were to go on to play for South Africa. They were Fourie Du Preez, Ricky Januarie, Derrick Hougaard, Brian Habana, Wynand Olivier, Jacques Cronje, Jannie Du Plessis and Wian Nel.

Whether the class of 2012 will get to match that rich crop of stars remains to be seen. There were, however, a number of outstanding players in action in Port Elizabeth this week many of whom, in the words of the talent spotters: “we are likely to see more of in the years to come.”

The name most bandied about going into the week was that of Handre Pollard, Western Province flyhalf. He was the star of the Baby Boks triumph in the junior World Cup and much was expected of him.

He was, unfortunately, injured early in his first game, and we never really got to see him play. So much has been said about him, however, that his name will be heard again, no doubt.

In his absence, the flyhalf to shine was the Blue Bulls’ Ryno Eksteen. Other backs to catch the eye were Blue Bulls centre Jurie Linde and Eastern Province wing Selvyn Davis.

The backline player to really stand out has been KwaZulu-Natal fullback Jesse Kriel. He has a bright future in the game, no question.

The forwards on display have also been impressive. The Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel have made an impact for KwaZulu-Natal, as have Blue Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman and his flanker team mate Thabo Mabuza.

The one forward who has had many talking, however, was Golden Lions hooker Malcolm Marx. He is big and skilful and looks ready to take his place in Super Rugby almost immediately.

He’s not the only one, of course, and any list like this will always be woefully incomplete.

Compiling it has been, however, one of the pleasures of being a Coca-Cola Craven Week aficionado.

It’s just one of the thing that make this tournament better than any other of its kind in the world.

“All Coca-Cola Youth Weeks, of which there are four, are aimed at identifying and nurturing talent within South Africa,” said Coca-Cola SA Marketing Asset Manager, Craig Van Niekerk.  “Seeing players progress through the various Coca-Cola Rugby Youth Weeks is amazing and we are proud to be the sponsor to make this transition possible.”

Saturday’s Fixtures

A Field – 9.10am SWD v Boland, 10.40am Western Province v Pumas, 12.10pm Eastern Province v KwaZulu-Natal, 1.40pm Golden Lions v Blue Bulls.

B Field – 9.10am Griquas v Griffons, 10.40am Border v Limpopo, 12.10pm Valke v Free State.

C Field – 9.10am Eastern Prvince Country v Leopards, 10.40am Namibia v Zimbabwe, 12.10pm Griquas v Border Country.