Grey again dominate Free State youth teams
The big number of Grey College pupils in the provincial sides have become a mere formality. Similar to 2016, Grey boast with 24 players in the 2017 Craven and Academy week team, respectively. There are 15 players in the Craven Week side and nine in the Academy side.
HTS Louis Botha have 18 players in the respective weeks, eight are in the Craven Week side and 10 in the Academy side.
In the squad of 23, there are six players returning from last year's Craven Week side they are fullback David Kriel, Rikus Pretorius, Teboho Rampai, Keaton Swart, Naudé Naudé and Janco van Heyningen – who played centre last year will now don the 14 jersey this year.
Seven players from the last year's Academy side have been drafted in this year's Craven Week side, namely Jayden Seekoei, Henk Cilliers, Christopher Schreuder, Marcel Theunissen, Martin Lottering, Lebo Molefe and Ru-Hann Greyling.
Despite the vast supremacy of Grey College and Louis Botha in the Youth Weeks, Jim Fouché (2) and Sentraal (1) managed to contribute three pupils in the 23-man Academy side.
Free State open their Craven week campaign against Boland on Monday, July 17, while the Academy side will face the Blue Bulls on Tuesday, July 18 at the at St Stithians College in Johannesburg.
Free State U18 Craven Week team: 15 David Kriel (Grey College), 14 Janco van Heyningen (Grey College), 13 Henk Cilliers (Grey College), 12 Rikus Pretorius (Grey College), 11 Wycliff Vlitoor (Grey College), 10 Christopher Schreuder (Grey College), 9 Ross Braude (Grey College), 8 Arno Nieuwoudt (Grey College), 7 Marcel Theunissen (Grey College), 6 Teboho Rampai (Louis Botha), 5 De Wet Marais (Grey College), 4 Samkelo Mzayiya (Louis Botha), 3 Naudé Naudé (Grey College), 2 Ru-Hann Greyling (Grey College), 1 Andile Maxamba (Louis Botha).
Replacements: 16 Luke Janse van Vuren (Grey College), 17 Shiraigh Lala (Louis Botha), 18 Herman Agenbag (Grey College), 19 Ofentse Mphuthi (Louis Botha), 20 Lebo Molefe (Grey College), 21 Keaton Swart (Louis Botha), 22 Martin Lottering (Louis Botha), 23 Jayden Seekoei (Louis Botha).
Free State U18 Academy team: 15 Marvin Ruiters (Louis Botha), 14 Brandon Lee Adams (Louis Botha), 13 Hanno Rossouw (Grey College), 12 MJ Odendaal (Grey College), 11 Sabelo Mahlasela (Louis Botha), 10 Zander du Plessis (Grey College), 9 Stefan Coetzer (Jim Fouché), 8 Nxumalo Nxumalo (Louis Botha), 7 Ernst Nebe (Jim Fouché), 6 Renvin Sauls (Louis Botha), 5 Akhona Malaku (Louis Botha), 4 Kalebo Tlale (Brandfort), 3 Wiaan Marais (Grey College), 2 Schalk Vermaak (Grey College), 1 Wandile Nomaxhayi (Louis Botha).
Replacements: 16 Jaap van Zyl (Grey College), 17 Lihle Lolwane (Louis Botha), 18 John-Henry Fincham (Grey College), 19 Thato Leeuw (Sentraal), 20 Obakeng Matshidiso (Louis Botha), 21 DC Odendaal (Grey College), 22 WJ de Jager (Grey College), 23 Gashi Bongo (Louis Botha).
