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.

Boland welcomes the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week

The Under-18 Coca-Cola Academy Week kicked off at HTS Drosdy in Worcester on Monday, and the rugby supporters of the Boland region were out in force to support it.

Dr Ivan Meyer, the provincial minister of finance for the Western Cape, was among them and he said it was great seeing so many spectators from Boland, and from the rest of the country, showing a spirit of togetherness and respect for each other and for the game.

“Boland has a great rugby history and it’s good that this has been recognised in allowing the region to host this week,” he said. “Bringing people together at a sporting event like the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week builds a good spirit and promotes an active healthy living in the community,” he said.

Meyer hopes the tournament will create long lasting memories and allow the players to make friends from all over the country that live the game.

“A tournament like this cannot succeed without good solid logistical support and project management from the local organization committee, SARU and Coca-Cola South Africa,” Meyer said. “People do not understand what it takes to organize a tournament of this size and SARU are very strict about the minimum requirements that need to be adhered to, to get people to organize a tournament like this takes people from different backgrounds to work together for a common cause.”

The Western Cape government is grateful to Coca-Cola and SA Rugby for what they are doing for the region though this tournament.

Meyer’s thoughts are echoed in Coca-Cola’s objectives as Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager, explains, “Not only does the Under-18 Coca-Cola Academy Week unearth talented youngsters and bind people from all over the country through rugby, it also promotes  a healthy and active lifestyle through their sport of choice.”

Photo caption from left to right: Johnny Cardoso (Coca-Cola South Africa), Jurie Roux (CEO SARU), Dr. Ivan Meyer (Provincial minister of finance for the Western Cape) and Ray Bjierre (Peninsula Beverages Company General Manager)

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.

Seven unbeaten teams after day 2 of the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week

Western Province, the Golden Lions, KwaZulu-Natal, Boland XV, Eastern Province Country Districts, Blue Valke and Limpopo Blue Bulls all go into the rest day on Wednesday at the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week held in HTS Drosdty in Worcester with two wins out of two..

The Blue Bulls, following their epic win over Boland on day one, were once again were involved in a titanic clash against a Western Cape Team but this time they came up short 17-8 against the powerful Western Province lineup.

Unlike yesterday where Western Province convincingly beat the Cheetahs, all did not go Western Province’s their way against the Blue Bulls. The Bulls defense was hard to crack and the heroes of the day was the Province defensive line.

The Blue Bulls attacked at every opportunity, and put their bodies on the line but WP had an answer to everything they threw at them and responded on the scoreboard where it hurt the most.

Western Province scored two unconverted tries in the first half through Calvin Nel and Michael Meyer to a penalty from the Blue Bulls Flyhalf Hendrik Mulder.

The second half was a closer battle with both teams having a lot of chances and exchanging tries through Mujaahid van der Hoven for Western Province and Carlo de Nysschen from the Blue Bulls.

Another team that proved that they could have a chance to play in the title game on Thursday was the Golden Lions who beat powerful Border 27-22. After dominating territory and possession for the first 30 minutes of the game, Lions outside centre, Sibusiso Mngomezulu, got a yellow card and that allowed Border to keep the scores close and flatter themselves.

The Lions scored tries through Hacjivah Dayimani, Ntobeko Mkhwanazi, Tapiwa Mangwana and Tiaan Schutte. For Border. Bubule Gongqa, Bulela Sotyelelwa and Jason Owen Bantom crossed the line.

The last game of the day was expected to be a close affair between KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Province but the KZN team upped a gear from yesterday’s performance to win 61-12.

The Natalians dominated all aspects of the game and never allowed EP to show the class that they displayed when they beat South Western Districts on the opening day.

Other big winners on the day were Eastern Province Country Districts who beat the Red Valke 19-7, Namibia who beat the Griffons CD 20-12, and the hosts, Boland, who proved that they are a very good team despite going down go WP yesterday, by beating the Pumas 24-13,

Results Day 2

Western Province 17 Blue Bulls 8, Red Valke 7 EP CD 19, Golden Lions27 Border 22, Griffons CD 12 Namibia 20, Boland 24 Pumas 13, Griquas 29 KwaZulu-Natal CD 12, SWD 17 Griffons 20, Boland XV 16 Griquas CD 0, Limpopo Blue Bulls 23 Free State 19, Golden Lions XV 22 Pumas CD 18, SA LSEN 40 Border CD 0, Blue Valke 16 Leopards 13, KwaZulu-Natal 61 Eastern Province 12.

EASTERN PROVINCE AND KWAZULU-NATAL SET THE PACE ON DAY 1 OF THE COCA-COLA UNDER-18 CRAVEN WEEK

The hosts, Eastern Province, announced their intention to play in the one of the late games on the final day of the 2012 Coca-Cola Craven Week in Port Elizabeth on Saturday clear when they produced the best performance of the opening day on Monday.

They beat the Valke and produced a spectacle of exciting running rugby that had a good crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on its feet.

It’s early days yet, but the EP side has a number of players in its ranks who can look forward to being named in the SA rugby High Performance squad that will be announced at the end of the week.

Their wingers, Selvyn Davis and Sergeal Petersen, flyhalf in Ernst Stapelberg and loose forwards Cyril-John Velleman and Aidon Davis were up there with the best on display on the first day.

Petersen scored two tries and Davis one, they are both lightning fast and are good finishers. Stapelberg controlled the game and has a deadly boot. He kicked two penalties and five conversions.

The surprise result of the day was the ease with which KwaZulu-Natal beat Free State. The word was out early on that this was not going to be the usual Free State team – Grey College is having a poor year – but a 48-24 loss to the young Sharks was unexpected.

Free State were dead and buried at 36-3 down at half time already and they got two late consolation tries which flattered them on the scoreboard.

The Golden Lions were the other big winners on day one. They turned on the power in the second half of their game against Border to extend a 16-14 halftime win to a 29-14 victory in the end.

Results

Leopards 36 Namibia 29, Boland 16 Griquas 12, Lions 29 Border 14, KwaZulu-Natal 48 Free State 24, Eastern Province 41 Valke 7.

Tuesday’s big game is between the Blue Bulls and Western Province. WP have played in the main game of all the SA Rugby Coca-Cola Youth Weeks so far this season and win over their traditional northern rivals will put them on track for that honour at the Coca-Cola under-18 Craven Week too.

Tuesday's fixtures

9.30am Zimbabwe v Border Country, 11am Griquas Country v Eastern Province Country, 12.30pm Limpopo v SWD, 2pm Pumas v Griffons, 3.30pm Western Province v Blue Bulls.

The tournament organisers have matched KwaZulu-Natal and the Golden Lions in Wednesday’s late game, with EP facing Boland in the curtain-raiser.

Wednesday’s fixtures

9.30am Griquas v Namibia, 11am Valke v Leopards, 12.30pm Free State v Border, 2pm

Eastern Province v Boland, 3.30pm KwaZulu-Natal v Golden Lions.

Coca-Cola South Africa is pleased with the way the tournament has panned out this year.  “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.  “Our Coca-Cola Grant Khomo is aimed at encouraging young rugby players to utilize this platform to improve skills as well as live an active and healthy lifestyle which is in line with our Live For A Difference strategy.”

THE COCA-COLA UNDER-18 ACADEMY WEEK KICKS OFF IN WELLINGTON

The Coca-Cola under-18 Academy Week, an annual interprovincial tournament aimed at development and transformation, will take place in Wellington from July 2 to 5.

The 26 teams are chosen according to a formula which sees a minimum of 11 players from previously disadvantaged backgrounds combined with a maximum of 11 players from other groups.

These selection restrictions do not always apply and many of the provinces select their best squad from the players who narrowly missed out on Coca-Cola Craven Week selection.

South Africa’s new captain, Jean De Villiers, competed in a Coca-Cola Academy Week in 1999.  He didn’t make the Academy team which goes to prove that players must never give up. Talent will always shine through.

The teams will all play three matches: on Monday July 2 and Tuesday July 3. Wednesday is a rest day and all the sides play their final game on Thursday July 5.

As is customary, the fixtures for the first day only have been announced. The games for the following days are arranged on a strength v strength basis at the end of each day’s play.

A national Academy side is selected at the week and it has, in the past, proved itself to be almost as strong as the South African Schools team that is chosen at the under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week.  Further, the South African Schools and SA Rugby under19 selectors attend the Academy Week, so the players have plenty to play for.

The players also perform in front of a number of scouts from the professional rugby organisations looking for players to sign up.  Then there are the Universities who offer bursaries to players who can bolster their Varsity Cup sides in the years to come. 

For many players who will be in Wellington, this serious rugby occasion could well be the first step on his career development ladder.

“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.  “Coca-Cola has sponsored Rugby Development for 27 years and since the inception of the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week back in 1964, there have been 243 springboks that have emerged.”

The sides from SA Rugby’s senior provinces will be joined by country district teams from Border, Eastern Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Pumas, Leopards and Griquas. There is also a team from Limpopo and two from the Valke – representing their Vaal Triangle and East Rand regions, and one selected at the Craven Week for Schools for learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN), held the week preceding the Academy Week.

The hosts, Boland will supply the 26th team – a Boland XV – to make up the even numbers.

The fixtures for day 1 are: Pumas CD v Griffons, Eastern Province CD v Leopards, Limpopo v Border, Blue Bulls v Eastern Province, SWD v KwaZulu-Natal, Western Province v Lions, Boland v Free State, Border CD v Blue Valke, Silver Valke v SA LSEN Schools, Pumas v Griffons CD, Griquas v Namibia, Griquas CD v Boland XV, KwaZulu-Natal CD v Leopards CD.