COCA-COLA CRAVEN WEEK – PLATFORM FOR IDENTIFYING SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE HEROES

The Coca-Cola Craven Week is where South Africa’s heroes are made. The premier youth rugby tournament, which sees the u18 provincial rugby teams battle it out in an action-packed week, has seen over 260 Springbok players come through its ranks. This year, the tournament returns to Johannesburg for the first time in 11 years and will take place at St Stithians College from 17-22 July 2017.

Coca-Cola Craven week is synonymous with showcasing the best of South African up-and-coming youth rugby talent, and is the platform for both national and provincial scouts to identify South Africa’s future rugby heroes. In 2014, Coca-Cola took it one step further by introducing the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day campaign, a daily award that recognizes and rewards standout players who embody the qualities of a hero. To date, 15 players, including members of the 2017 Baby Boks team Curwin Bosch, Wandisile Simelane and Embrose Papier, have received this accolade.

Sharks flyhalf, Curwin Bosch, was discovered by a Coca-Cola appointed panel of experts and named the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day on Day 3 of the 2014 Coca-Cola Craven Week. After a brilliant heroic display at the tournament, Bosch was selected to play for the SA Schools team for the u18 International Series against France, Wales and England, where he helped his team win two of three matches.

Bosch has since represented South Africa at the Junior Commonwealth Games for the Rugby Seven’s team that won gold, and played for the Junior Springbok side in 2016 and 2017 for the World Rugby U20 Championships. Bosch took his career to the next level when he made his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks, where he produced match winning performances for his team.

Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa’s Senior Communications Manager: Assets and Brand Experience commented, “Having been the proud sponsors of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks for 32 years, we have witnessed some of the best talent come through its ranks. It was great to see some of our past Hero of the Day winners represent our country at the recently concluded World Rugby u20 Championship in Georgia. Coca-Cola Craven Week has the potential to jumpstart a future in rugby for all its participants and I have no doubt that the next generation of players will be uncovered at this year’s tournament.”

Look out for the future heroes of South African rugby taking part at this year’s Coca-Cola Craven Week from 17 – 22 July 2017.

Be part of the conversation on Twitter – follow @CocaCola_ZA or search #WhereHeroesAreMade

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