6 June 2023
Maritzburg College is gearing up to host a feast of exciting rugby, showcasing the next generation of talent moving through South African schools’ ranks. The under-13 Craven Week, featuring 32 teams, takes place at the school from 25 to 30 June.
The event is split into two sections: the A section has 18 teams, with nine games being played per day, while the B section has 14 teams and sees seven matches taking place a day.
SuperSport Schools coverage
All of the matches will be streamed live on SuperSport Schools.
Kevin Smith who is leading the organisation from College’s side, along with Vian du Plessis, is a huge fan of SuperSport Schools. That’s not surprising because some of the primary drivers of the innovative idea, which has spread school sport far and wide, are College Old Boys, including SuperSport CEO Marc Jury and Kelvin Watt, the Managing Director of Capitalize Media, which is a major delivery partner of SuperSport Schools.
“They’re fantastic guys. What vision!” Smith said.
College, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, is also being backed by its loyal sponsors, which include Thirsti, Futurelife, Standard Bank, Coffeebox, Truda Foods, and Gilbert.
Catering for 1 000 participants
A College organising committee is working closely with The Sharks Local Organising Committee to cater for 1 000 participants, which includes 23 players per squad, plus four coaches, managers and mentors.
Describing the event as a “logistical nightmare”, Smith said College would host 500 visitors, while Saint Charles would have 260, and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High 140. The remainder would be staying elsewhere.
When the Sharks were awarded the u13 Craven Week, Smith put College forward as hosts of the tournament. The school’s bid was accepted, but it also landed Smith with the biggest event he has ever overseen. He explained that the College staff is very busy during the holidays, so, by default, he inherited the job.
“There you go, you’ve got it!”
“I managed to negotiate the event, so everyone said ‘there you go, you’ve got it!'”
Then, he laughed: “No good deed goes unpunished.”
Addressing the fixtures, Smith said: “Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are normal pool games. They start at 08:00 and finish at 17:00, and they will be played on Goldstone’s and Snow’s. On the Friday, they like to allow some of the teams to leave earlier, because they have a long way to travel, so we bring in an extra field, and that will be Barns.”
Smith, who is a College Old Boy, said it is the first time in his memory that Barns will host rugby matches. Previously, before the advent of AstroTurf, it was College’s primary hockey field. Nowadays, it is the home of College football. But there will be no football played on it during the June holidays…
Monday, 26 June, Fixtures
A Section
Game 1: Namibia vs Border CD
Game 2: Border vs Leopards
Game 3: SWD vs Zimbabwe
Game 4: Pumas vs Griffons
Game 5: Bulls vs Cheetahs
Game 6: Sharks vs Limpopo
Game 7: WP vs EP
Game 8: Boland vs Griquas
Game 9: Lions vs Valke
B Section
Game 1: EP vs Cheetahs
Game 2: Bulls vs Leopards
Game 3: Sharks vs Border
Game 4: Boland vs SWD
Game 5: Lions vs Limpopo
Game 6: Pumas vs Valke
Game 7: WP vs Griffons
Leave a Reply