Victor Matfield called up to scout Coca-Cola® Craven Week Heroes

Springbok legend to lead Coca-Cola® Hero of the Day selection panel

Springbok legend and rugby pundit, Victor Matfield, has been announced as the face of the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day at South Africa’s primary youth rugby tournament, the Coca-Cola u18 Craven Week. Matfield, who is the most capped Springbok, has been tasked to lead a panel of experts in selecting the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day recipients at the Coca-Cola Craven Week, which will take place at St Stithians College in Johannesburg from 17-22 July 2017.

“Being chosen to be part of the Coca-Cola Craven Week really takes me back to when I played in the tournament back in 1994 and 1995. For me, Craven Week was a stepping stone in my rugby career and I want to thank Coca-Cola and SARU for organising tournaments like these to identify talent from a young age. I look forward to playing a part in the tournament and bringing some of my experience and expertise to what I believe will be an action-packed week,” Matfield commented.

Matfield, alongside Coca-Cola’s appointed panel of rugby specialists, will on each day of the Coca-Cola u18 Craven Week be tasked with identifying and recognizing a standout player that embodies the qualities of a hero, the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day.

The Coca-Cola Hero of the Day is not necessarily the best player on the field. He is the flank that made three successive tackles and forced the turnover; the scrumhalf that took a quick tap and dived over for the match-winning try; or the centre that made a courageous try-saving tackle.

Fetsi Mbele, Senior Communications Manager: Assets and Brand Experience, Coca-Cola South Africa, said “Coca-Cola has been a proud sponsor of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks for the last 32 years. The Coca-Cola Craven Week is a platform for identifying the top school rugby players in the country - this is where South Africa’s future heroes are made. We are thus delighted to have one of the most decorated heroes in world rugby, Victor Matfield, come on board to lead our Coca-Cola Hero of the Day campaign, as we continue the development of youth rugby in South Africa. We look forward to an exciting partnership with Victor and believe that with his help, we will continue to unearth the future Springboks.”

The photos attached are of players that Victor Matfield suggested that we should look out for at this year's Coca-Cola Craven Week.

For more search #WhereHeroesAreMade on Twitter or visit @CocaCola_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