Craven Week 2024

Craven Week is one of the most prestigious school rugby tournaments in the world. Named after the legendary Springbok player and coach, Dr. Danie Craven, the competition showcases South Africa’s best young rugby talent.

Instituted in 1964, the inaugural Craven Week rugby tournament was held in East London and featured 15 teams. Over the years, the competition has grown significantly; it expanded to 28 teams in 1987 and ballooned to 32 by 2000. Since 2001, just 20 teams have competed annually at the tournament.

Craven Week is famous for cultivating the next generation of rugby stars. Numerous Craven Week rugby players have gone on to excel on the international stage. This includes Springbok centurions like Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery.

What Is Craven Week?

Craven Week is an annual rugby competition organised by the South African Rugby Union (SARU). The twenty teams are divided based on South African provinces, with each team containing the best high school players from that province.

Unlike other tournaments, Craven Week does not have an official final. Instead, the competition focuses on development and performance; it serves as a platform for young players to gain exposure and experience. However, it does include a ‘main match’ that features the two best teams.

Historically, teams from Western Province, Free State and Northern Transvaal have been among the strongest contenders. However, the tournament’s open format ensures that talent from all regions is recognised and nurtured. As such, many Springboks have also come from Craven Week teams like the Blue Bulls, Natal and the Golden Lions.

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