How SA’s schools will be represented at Craven Week

PREVIEW: Rugby365 breaks down the provincial teams by school ahead of the national Under-18 tournament in Middelburg next week.

SA Rugby’s Youth Weeks are already in full swing.

The U13 Craven Week, U16 Grant Khomo Week, as well as the U16 and U18 Girls Weeks kicked off on Monday at various venues around the country and will conclude this Friday.

The U18 Craven Week – as well as the U18 Academy Week – will be staged at Hoërskool Middelburg from 7 to 12 July.

Sixteen teams will be in action over the five match days, and schools from around the country will be represented.

Rugby365 takes a closer look at the representation of the teams.

Some selectors have cast the net wide, while others have focused on one or two leading schools in their respective regions.

WESTERN CAPE

Western Province have dominated the last three editions of the Craven Week, winning 15 games in a row – and ultimately three unofficial titles.

Many of South Africa’s leading rugby schools teams are in the Western Cape.

Paarl Gymnasium have enjoyed an unbeaten run in 2025, while Paarl Boys have been right up there, winning 14 out of 15.

It’s interesting to note that only two players from Gimmies – No.8 Quintin Potgieter and the try-scoring sensation Markus Muller – have made the cut for the main Western Province Craven Week team.

Boishaai have supplied five players, as have Rondebosch – while Wynberg have provided four.

Paul Roos have two players in the WP side this year, while Stellenberg – who have been something of a surprise package across the 2025 schools season – also have two.

Boishaai have nine players in the WP XV – the province’s second team at the tournament. Gimmies have four in this team, and Wynberg three.

Boland have cast the net wide when selecting their U18 Craven Week side, drawing on 11 schools. Six players hail from Drostdy and three from Porterville.

Meanwhile, South Western Districts have taken an alternative approach.

Oakdale have been among the best-performing schools this season, and are the only side to beat Boishaai thus far.

As a result, 14 Oakdale players have been called up to the SWD side ahead of the Craven Week tournament, with three other schools represented.

CENTRAL

No provincial team at the 2025 Craven Week will boast more players from a single school than Free State.

Grey College haven’t had the best season by their own high standards, losing to both of the Paarl heavyweights in Bloemfontein. That said, they have won their other 11 fixtures.

Grey will supply 19 players to the Free State side (and as many as 11 to the Free State Academy Week team), with Burgersdorp, Fichardtpark and Jim Fouche making up the difference.

Hentie Cilliers have provided seven players to the Griffons squad, as have Witteberg. Trio, Voortrekker and Welkom Gymnasium have supplied three apiece.

Diamnatveld dominate the Griquas side, with 11 representatives. Upington have provided six players.

Diamantveld have racked up 13 victories from 16 matches, and are well placed to finish their season on a positive note. The Kimberley-based side’s more notable victims include Framesby, Martizburg College and Welkom Gym.

NOORDVAAL

Affies held Paarl Gym to a draw earlier this season, and have only sustained one loss – to Boishaai.

Few will be surprised to see 10 Affies players in the Blue Bulls Craven Week team.

Meanwhile, Noordvaal Cup log-leaders Garsfontein have supplied four players to the Bulls. Two from the much-improved Menlopark have made the cut.

Helpmekaar have also turned a few heads this season, after beating the likes of Bishops and Wynberg in interprovincial matches, and performing in the Noordvaal Cup.

Helpies boast the most players in the Golden Lions Craven Week team (nine), followed by Jeppe and Noordheuwel (six apiece), KES (three) and Monument (one).

The Leopards have drawn on eight schools for their U18 squad, with Lichtenburg (five), Rustenburg, Westvalia and Klerksdorp (all four) providing the most players.

EG Jansen haven’t had the best season by their standards, and have work to do if they’re going to qualify for the Noordvaal Cup play-offs (they’re currently fifth on the log).

Nevertheless, they have provided nine players to the Valke side.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls side is similarly represented, with Pietersburg providing nine players.

Hoerskool Middelburg – who will host this year’s Craven Week tournament – have eight players in the Pumas side.

KWAZULU-NATAL AND EASTERN CAPE

Westville finished their regular season schedule with a record of 13 consecutive wins, surpassing Durban High School as the kings of the KwaZulu-Natal schoolboy scene.

Eight players from Westville have been called up to the Sharks side ahead of the tournament in Middelburg. Four have been selected from both Hilton and Northwood, and just two from DHS.

Down in the Eastern Cape, Queen’s College are having a season to remember, and have already won 12 out of 15 games.

As a result, Border have selected nine players from Queen’s, as well as eight players from Selborne, and three players from Dale.

Eastern Province have included six players from Grey High, while four players from Graeme have made the cut following the latter side’s recent performances – 11 wins in 14 matches. Framesby, Kingswood and Nico Malan have supplied three apiece.

The SA Schools and SA Schools ‘A’ teams will be selected after the Craven Week tournament – and play their traditional fixture on July 17 at HTS Middelburg.