The South African Schools Rugby Association sent their proposals for venues of the 2026 Youth Weeks to SA Rugby recently. SASRA could not decide on the venue of the U18 Craven Week and U18 Academy Week, and proposed that the "best" venue between Grey High School (Gqeberha) and Paarl Gimnasium (Paarl) must be used.
The venues proposed were:
U13 CW and AW Week: Free State Primary Schools Grey College
U16 Grant Khomo Week: Sharks Primary School Kearsney College
U16 and U18 Girls Weeks: Pumas Middleburg High School
U18 LSEN Craven Week: Border East London at Baysville
U18 CW and AW Weeks: Paarl Gym or Grey PE High School.
SASRA's members were unanimous that the boys CW and AW are not split but hosted at the same venue. This has a positive impact on numbers and vibe and reduces costs for associations from a transport perspective. It also helps keep the rugby integrity at the
CW. If there are injuries, which there are every year, AW players can move into the CW team without incurring expensive plane costs. These two weeks together create a fantastic atmosphere and ensure that they are our premier school tournaments in the country. More prestigious than Wilde Klawer or North/South. This is critical to the school landscape, protecting and promoting transformation.
It was also confirmed that The Pumas are prepared to host the girls U16 and U18 weeks in 2026 at Middleburg High School. The 2025 CW and AW were exceptionally hosted there, and they are looking to replicate that for the girls’ week.
However, a proposal that the boys' and girls' weeks are hosted at one venue is not advisable at this stage.
