Western Province crowned the unofficial champions of the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week.

Western Province beat KwaZulu-Natal 38-7 in the final game of the U18 Coca-Cola Academy in front of a packed and very partisan crowd at HTS Drosdy in Wellington today.

 Western Province got off to a very good start and immediately put KwaZulu-Natal under pressure. It did not take long before Province’s wing Andre Manuel broke through the KZN defence to score the first try of the game.

 Province found themselves back on their opponents’ tryline directly from the kickoff, and with the defence  in tatters, Michael Meyer ran through the centre field defence and broke 4 tackles to score their second try.

 Up to this point KwaZulu-Natal had only touched the ball to restart the game. Province’s dominance was complete.

 Once again the Cape side broke easily through the KwaZulu-Natal defence with a quick backline move that finished close to the right hand corner. Province lock, Sybrand Du Toit, was in close support of his backs, and he dug the ball out and went over for his team’s 3^rd try.

 The Sharks finally got some possession and took the game into the Western Province half. This brought about a slight pause in the scoring. WP regrouped and seemed to take a breather. This did not last long and they scored again in the 30^th minute through Calvin Nel. This was the last try of the first half and Province went into the break 24-0 up.

 The second half started the same as the first, with KwaZulu-Natal missing tackles and Western Province easily breaking through to score through yet another try this time through their prop Edward Marais.

 Hayden Tharratt scored a consolation try for KwaZulu-Natal in the 46^th minute.

 Province brought on most of their bench for the rest of the game and it did not stop the scoring Taigh Schoor ran in their last try in the 66^th minute to round off a game of complete dominance.

 The other unbeaten teams this week were the Gauteng Lions, Boland XV and Blue Valke.

 Boland  23 Golden Lions 31, Pumas 26 Griffons  23,  SWD 44 EP CD 26, Free State 57 Namibia 34,  Blue Bulls 7 Eastern Province 7, Boland XV 23 Red Valke 8, Griffons CD 15 Golden Lions XV 53, Griquas 23 Blue Valke 44, KwaZulu-Natal CD 5 Pumas CD 17, Border CD 0 Leopards 76,  Border 41 Limpopo Blue Bulls 10, SA LSEN 27 Griquas CD 41.

Ends.

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. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

COCA-COLA UNDER-18 CRAVEN WEEK PLAYER PROFILE - JAKO VAN DER WALT

Jako Van der Walt is not quite 18 yet, and, despite suffering a number of injuries last season, has a bright rugby career in front of him.

He was named at flyhalf for the South African Schools team at the end of the Coca-Cola Craven Week in Kimberly last year, but could turn out for them in their matches because of injury. Then he broke his jaw in an early season game for his school, Monument, this year and missed much of the school's season.

The good news, however, is that he has fully recovered and will wear the no.10 shirt for the Golden Lions at this year's Coca-Cola Craven Week in Port Elizabeth from July 9 to 14. 

Jako is no stranger to schools interprovincial rugby. This will be the fifth time that he will appear at a youth week. He played in the Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week, the under-16 Grant Khomo Week and this is his second under-18 Craven Week. He also played in an under-12 interprovincial week when he was in grade six.

He says playing in the under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week has been the highlight of his career so far. "The Coca-Cola Craven Week is a great opportunity to show your talents in front of the people who are important in professional rugby and I definitely want to make rugby my career," he says.

"It's an honour to represent your province at any level and the Lions will be going all out for three wins in PE next week.

Making the SA Schools team again would be a bonus, Van der Walt says, but if he doesn't make it there's still plenty to play for. "Most of our injured players are back for Monument now and we have our local league final early next term," he says.

As far as the future is concerned, Van der Walt says he has had a number of bursary offers but has not made a decision yet. "For now my focus is fully on the Coca-Cola Craven Week and we are hard at training.

The fixtures for the first two days are:

Monday July 9 - Leopards v Namibia, Boland v Griquas, Lions v Border, Free State v KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Province v Valke.

Tuesday July 10 - Zimbabwe v Border CD, Griquas CD v Eastern Province CD, SWD v Limpopo, Pumas v Griffons, Western Province v Blue Bulls.

EASTERN PROVINCE HOST 2012 U/18 COCA-COLA CRAVEN WEEK

The Eastern Province Rugby Union will this year play host to the prestigious Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week schools tournament taking place from 8-14 July 2012 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. It has been 12 long years since EPRU hosted the event and 2012 promises to produce an eventful and entertaining tournament.

Coca-Cola South Africa has sponsored youth rugby for 27 years and has committed to continuing with this tradition.  Of the current Springbok team 90 percent have competed in at least one of the weeks.  “Coca-Cola South Africa is proud to be the brand where future stars start their quest in tackling the future,” said Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa, Marketing Assets Manager.  “The youth weeks are also aimed at encouraging young rugby players to live an active and healthy lifestyle which is in line with our Live For A Difference strategy.”

The Coca-Cola Craven Week is synonymous with unearthing talent and fuelling South African rugby with future Springboks and with this in mind, we are confident that this year’s participants, as has been the case in recent years, will need no extra motivation to compete at their best for the duration of the tournament.

The participating teams will be accommodated in three Uitenhage school hostels, Daniel Pienaar, Brandwag and Strelitzia for the duration of the tournament, while the games will take place at the iconic and world class Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The hosting of this year’s tournament is not only a great coup for the Eastern Province Rugby community but rather for all inhabitants of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan and is surrounds but as well as the whole of the Eastern Cape community.

We wish all participating teams the best of luck for the tournament and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores with open arms!

UNDERDOGS WIN GAUTENG COPA COCA-COLA PROVINCIAL FINALS

The Under -18 Copa Coca-Cola school football teams that competed in the Gauteng provincial finals in Kwa -Thema today, Saturday 5 March, did so before football legends including Lucas Radebe, Isaac Shai, Seputla Nhlapho, Yster Ndlovu and Robinson Seakamelala as well as referee analyst, Sylvester Ndaba.

While all eight teams played their best, the School of Excellence (Elandsfontein Region) and Mohloli (Sharpville Region) each topped their respective Groups to compete in the final. 

Credit must go to Mohloli High, who went into the final as underdogs against the mighty School of Excellence, as they were crowned the Gauteng champions winning 5 – 4 on penalties after the full time score ended in a stale mate. 

Mohloli High win R40 000 as the Gauteng provincial winners with the National Finals being their next challenge happening at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley from 30^th March to 2^nd April.  The national winner will take home R150 000 worth of school or sport equipment for their school.

Coca-Cola is well aware of the challenges facing the youth today and uses this platform, Copa  Coca-Cola, to encourage youth development as well as an active and healthy. 

“It was a fantastic day,” said ex Leeds and Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe who is also the Copa Coca-Cola ambassador.  “Copa Coca-Cola gives school footballers the opportunity to play competitively and also encourages them to live an active and meaningful lifestyle.  While only one team can win, all players received the same opportunity to be seen by scouts who are looking for players to boost their development teams.  Copa Coca-Cola is football development at its best.”

The Mohloli coach, Tebello Kheswa, could not contain his excitement at being crowned the Copa Coca-Cola Gauteng champions.   “This is the first time we have played in Coca Coca-Cola and getting through to the finals was a huge achievement, something we did not expect.  Furthermore, facing  one of the top football youth academies in the country, the School of Excellence, in the finals was a daunting task.  But I just told my players to go out there and focus on their own strengths and enjoy the game.  Do not worry about the other team.  This is exactly what they did and the rest is history.   Now we are going to focus on the national finals.”

For the first time in the Copa Cola-Cola tournament we had a shared accolade with two players from different teams taking the top goalscorer of the tournament award.

Top goalscorers: Rethabile Soso (Mohloli) and Mohau Maine (School of Excellence) 5 goals each

RESULTS

GROUP  A                                                                            GROUP B

School of Excellence (Elandsfontein)                       Jet Nteo (Boipatong)

Seana Marena   (Mapetla, Soweto)                          Highlands Boys High (Jo’burg North)

Tisetsong (Alberton)                                                      Buhle Bemfundo (Ekurhuleni)

Rosina (Laudium)                                                             Mohlodi (Sharpville)

                                               

RESULTS:

Tisetsong   1                                       School of Excellence   1

Seana Marena  1                              Rosina   4

Mohloli    2                                          Buhle Bemfundo   2

Highlands North  0                           Jet Nteo      2

Tisetsong  0                                        Rosina  3

School of Excellence   4                  Seana Marena   0

Buhlebemfundo   0                         Jet Nteo      2

Highlands North 1                            Mohloli     34

School of Excellence  1                   Rosina     0

Seana Marena    1                            Tisetsong  0

Highlands North  2                           Buhlebemfundo 2

Jet Nteo  0                                          Mohloli   1

FINAL LOG POSTION

GROUP A

Sports School of Excellence, Rosina, Teanamerena, Tiisetsong

GROUP B

Mohloli, Jet Nteo, Buhlebemfundo, Highlands North

FINAL

School of excellence  (0)                               Mohloli (0)

Mohloli won 5 – 4 on penalties

Media Enquiries:

Tulisiwe Mkatshwa

Brand PR and Communications Manager

Coca-Cola South Africa

0823771207

On behalf of Coca-Cola

Intune Communications

Pearl Ndlazi

0832321389

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 14 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

NTSU HIGH SCHOOL INTO THE 2011 COPA COCA-COLA FREE STATE PROVINCIAL FINALS

Bohlokong Stadium in Bethlehem hosted the Under 18 Copa Coca-Cola Regional Finals for the Thabo Mofutsanyana region this past weekend. Ntsu high school, fourth time entrants into the competition, beat Taung high School 3 – 0 to win a place in the provincial finals which take place at the same venue on Saturday, 12^th March 2011.

Four schools participated in the tournament that was played on a knockout basis. Ntsu’s first game against Khotso Uxolo High School resulted in a 2 all draw but Ntsu went on to win the match 3 – 2 on penalties to win through to the final. . 

Team Coach, Michael Masooa could not contain his excitement on his team’s success:

“For the past four years I have been eyeing Copa Coca-Cola as a tournament to win and we are now through to the next level, the provincial finals, which is very exciting.  But the battle is not yet won and I will spend the next week preparing the boys mentally and physically for the next step. We are looking forward to the challenge and hopefully will make it to the national finals for the first time this year.”

 

Also looking forward to the provincial finals is Ntsu player, Bekhisiwe Tshabalala:  “This is one opportunity that will remain in my memory for life. Not only is Copa Coca-Cola the best tournaments at school level, but I am fascinated by Andile Jali’s style of play.  Knowing that he was discovered through Copa Coca-Cola has boosted my confidence. I play central midfield just like him.”

The 17-year old captain said that he expects to see quality players unearthed from Free State through this tournament.  He further believes his school has a better than average change of winning through to the national finals, singling out defender, Motsamai Motsamai and striker Kgotso Letswalo as key players  that have it in them to make a difference: “Both players were with the team last year, and know the kind of challenges we will be facing so their advice and knowledge is invaluable to the team.”

“A number of regions held their finals this past weekend and Coca-Cola was at most giving support to the players and the community,” said Anthony Garstang, Brand Experience Manager, Coca-Cola South Africa. “Through Copa Coca-Cola we are looking at promoting an active lifestyle as well as creating a platform for youngsters to show off their skills to be recognised and taken into development structures to be polished.  This year Coca-Cola is also focusing on the fans, the fans that might not be professionals, but these are the supporters of the future. For them we are giving a free 300ml Coke on entry into the stadium and we will further entertain them with music.”

RESULTS:

Teams

 Taung High School

Ntsu   High School

 Mokadi High School

Khotso uxolo High School

             

Semi Finals 1

Taung 1vs Mokadi 0

           

 Semi Finals 2

 Ntsu 3 vs Khotso uxolo 0

Final

Taung 0 vs Ntsu 3

           

Media Enquiries:

Tulisiwe Mkatshwa

Brand PR and Communications Manager

Coca-Cola South Africa

0823771207

On behalf of Coca-Cola

Intune Communications

Pearl Ndlazi

0832321389

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 14 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com