The Craven Week is always a great bench mark in a schoolboy’s rugby playing career. It has become a very sort after “cap” and it can often open up many doors as far as a youngsters studies are concerned as well as being a great stepping stone for so many aspiring rugby players. It does not signal the end of a career if one does not make the Craven Week side, but it can be the catalyst that gives players a start. At the Investec International Rugby Academy, we are very proud of the fact that we are helping young players reach these dreams. We are exposing them to some of the best players that South Africa has produced and these Position Specific coaches are imparting all of their knowledge onto these players at our Advanced Courses for players between the ages of 16 -18 years old.
Here are a list of the boys that represented their Provinces in the 2010 Craven Week:
Blue Bulls
1.Brink Botha (Affies)
2. Sean Robinson(Waterkloof)
3. Thus Smit (Waterkloof)
4. De Wet Meyer (Waterkloof)
5. Franscois Tredoux(Waterkloof)
Free State
1. Cobus Nel (Grey)
KZN
1. Emil Swartz (Hilton)
2. Hilton Mudaraki ( Michaelhouse)
3. Patrick Howard (michael house)
4. Duncan Campbell (Westville)
PUMAS
1. Christoph Gouws(Nelspruit)
WP
1. Braam Steyn (Paul Roos)
We have had the likes of Joost van der Westhuizen, Braam van Straten, Johan Ackerman, Jaques Botes, Ray Moordt, Breyton Paulse, Corne Krige and Andre Snyman on some of our courses just to name a few of the legends that have played the game in this Country and abroad. It is wonderful how these coaches share of their knowledge while working with the players.
It was a special moment for the players on the course held at Glenwood when the Springbok captain - John Smit - popped in to share some of his expertise with them. He is a world class leader and his wise words all added to the experience that these players could enjoy when taking part in of this standard. He made mention of the fact that hard work and the "extra little bits" are so important to a player that wishes to make it to the top and this is so true to rugby and to life. Once these players have experienced this academy, it can be a life changing opportunity and the players then need to take all the knowledge and skill and this along with hard work will be a massive stepping stone to realising their dreams.