SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that four Youth Week tournaments – the Under-18 Craven Week, presented by Stadio, Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and the Girls Weeks for U18s and U16s – will take place in George, Stellenbosch and Johannesburg during the midyear school holidays, from 26 June to 14 July.
The Youth Weeks programme will start with the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch (26 to 30 June), which will be followed from 3 to 7 July by the U18 Craven Week, presented by Stadio, at Hoërskool Outeniqua in George, which school is celebrating its centenary year.
The programme will conclude with the two Girls Weeks (U16 and U18), which will run simultaneously at Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg from 10 to 14 July.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said it was good for the governing body to host these Youth Weeks, as they were a key component in the Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway.
“The SA Rugby Youth Weeks returned last year after a two-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was amazing to see the excitement amongst our best schools’ players to represent their provinces,” said Oberholzer.
“This year, we are hosting the four Youth Weeks at schools that have a rich history in South African rugby, and we are grateful to these institutions, their provincial unions and the local organising committees for their assistance.
“We are still under a financial strain, which means we can’t host all seven of our traditional Youth Weeks, but plans have been made to ensure as many players as possible get the opportunity to don their provincial colours.
“I would also like to thank our partners and suppliers for their fantastic support and playing a crucial role in assisting these young players to realise their dreams, especially Stadio, McDonald's and Freddy Hirsch.”
The South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA), in cooperation with the relevant provincial schools’ bodies, will organize the u/18 Academy Week (Johannesburg), u/13 Craven Week (Pietermaritzburg) and the u/18 LSEN Week (Welkom).
Youth Weeks programme 2023:
Under-16 Grant Khomo Week:
Venue: Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
Date: 26 June to 30 June
Under-18 Craven Week:
Venue: Hoërskool Outeniqua, George
Date: 3 July to7 July
Under-16 and Under-18 Girls Weeks
Venue: Jeppe High School for Boys, Johannesburg
Date: 10 to 14 July
