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Boland All Time Craven Week XV
Border All Time Craven Week XV
EASTERN PROVINCE ALL TIME CRAVEN WEEK XV
15) Russell Bennett (St Andrews, 1990)
An extremely quick playmaker who loved to open up space, Bennett was a player who many had felt done enough to earn SA Schools selection.
He would however go on to represent the Sharks, becoming a vital cog in their era of dominance in the local scene and would eventually go on to represent the Springboks on 6 occasions scoring 2 tries.
14) Sergeal Petersen (Grey High, 2012)
Peterson was a try scoring machine at schools level, he represented EP at both Grant Khomo Week as well as Craven Week. At Grant Khomo he scored 3 tries in 3 games and at Craven Week he would go on to score 4 tries in 3 games. His form would see him earn SA Schools selection and he was selected for the 2013 and 2014 Baby Bok squads which further enhanced his reputation.
After finishing off a stellar high school career he would reject numerous contract offers from high profile unions and join his home Union of the Kings. In 2013, his first year out of school he would score the Kings first ever try in Super Rugby. He would represent the Kings in 8 matches, scoring 4 tries which was an incredible achievement for someone who could still have been playing at school.
Since the controversial axing of the Kings he would move to the Cheetahs and Stormers before moving to Japan where he remains as a member of the Blue Sharks.
13) Danie Gerber (Despatch, 1977)
The greatest centre the game has ever produced, Gerber stands head and shoulders above all others and few would argue he is one of the best players the country has produced.
Gerber was known for his extreme work rate at school, the young Gerber would often be seen running from Despatch to Uitenhage and would represent SA Schools for 3 years, a feat achieved by only a handful of players.
Due to South Africa’s apartheid policy Gerber was never able to truly showcase his talent to the world but those who know their rugby know that this was a once in a generation player. A truly special talent and the GOAT at 13 (Brian O’ who?).
12) Heino Bezuidenhout (Daniel Pienaar, 2015)
A player blessed with incredible speed off the mark and skills, Bezuidenhout was widely regarded as the best youth centre in the nation during his school rugby days.
The youngster carved open opposition defenses and contributed a massive assist rate, often being able to put his outside backs into acres of space. A rare member of the double club, he represented SA Schools in 2014 and 2015 and this despite playing for a school that was outside of the Top 50 that year.
After leaving school he was signed by the Bulls where he had a good youth career before joining the South African Sevens circuit.
11) JP van der Mescht (Daniel Pienaar, 1993)
Not many of our modern readers will know much about JP van der Mescht, but those who have been around for a few years longer will know what an absolute unit this player was at schools level.
Van der Mescht had a huge frame, was extremely quick and scored tries for fun. He was Lomu-esque in his game play often running over opposition wingers for fun. Unfortunately for the talented winger injury and a lack of game time meant he never reached his full potential but his performances at youth level certainly deserve recognition.
10) Curwin Bosch (Grey High, 2015)
Hailing from the small rural town of Alexandria in the Eastern Cape, Bosch was an exceptionally gifted young 10 and his move to Grey High school was met with much excitement as a youngster and he more than delivered from the Gqeberha based outfit.
Bosch was a leader in both the 2014 and 2015 season for the school, cool and calm under pressure he won the Craven Week unofficial final in 2014 and led the team to another final in 2015 only to lose out to a rampant Western Province team.
Every Union went after him hard for his signature but it was the Sharks who ultimately won the battle. He would go on to represent the Baby Boks in 2016 and 2017 with distinction scoring 104 points in 9 appearances and becoming a rare member of the “double double” club representing his nation 2 years running at U18 and U20 level.
He has since gone on to represent the Sharks on over 100 occasions and his country on 3 occasions.
9) Joggie Viljoen (Framesby, 1994)
One of the best schools scrumhalves of the 90s, Joggie Viljoen was an exceptionally talented scrumhalf who had an astounding rugby IQ and played Craven Week for 3 consecutive years for the province as well as earning SA Schools colours in 1993 and 1994 with that also being the year he led EP to a Craven Week title.
After school he would represent the Bulls, Western Province and the Falcons at Currie Cup level while being a key player for the Stormers in Super Rugby as well. In 1996 he was awarded his national colours on tour but did not play in any official test matches. He made the move to New Zealand and would represent the Hurricanes at Super Rugby level as well as Northland and Manawatu in the NPC.
A rugby player through and through, Joggie learned his trade from his father Joggie senior who himself was a Springbok and if that is not enough his son Jordi is an exceptionally talented scrumhalf who has already represented the Hurricanes in Super Rugby despite only being 20 years old.
8) Siya Kolisi (Grey High, 2009)
Do we really need to say much more here? Captain, leader and legend Kolisi had a massive impact not just on Grey High School rugby but the global game itself becoming the first player of colour to lift a World Cup trophy and only the second player to lift two.
Grey High recently named their main field after the man, such is the esteem in which he is held. No need to discuss his career, if you know you know.
7) Sean Plaatjies (Brandwag, 1996)
Another of those players where it was the right player at the wrong time. Rugby had just turned professional and as such academies and scouting were not where they are today. One feels that if Plaatjies had come through the system in the modern era he would have had the support needed to fulfil his vast potential.
Plaatjies was the first ever player of colour to captain the SA Schools team and this was far from a quota player he was an absolute unit weighing close to 100kg at schools level and this was before the time of mass supplements and gym facilities within a stones throw away. He was a lethal carrier and exceptional leader who was the heartbeat of the unbeaten 1996 Brandwag team.
After school we do not have much on his career, but he did have a good career by any account being a key player for Griquas and the Falcons but one can only imagine with the right guidance and belief what could of happened to this extraordinary talent.
6) Luke Watson (Grey High, 2001)
The Watson family have never backed down from any confrontation and Luke was as controversial figure as any in South African rugby but that should never take away from his ability as a player.
At Grey High school early in his career not many thought he would develop into the athlete he became. With guidance from his father Cheeky who would of won national colours had it not been for his political affiliations with the ANC during the apartheid regime, Luke became known as an exceptionally hard worker and his talent would eventually shine through making the SA Academy team in 2000 leading them to a win over SA Schools and eventually being selected to the SA Schools team in 2001 and being named captain.
He chose to stay in his hometown in 2002 before moving to the Sharks but it was at the Stormers where he truly made his name. In 2004 Jake White was appointed Springbok coach, had it been virtually any other coach there is no doubt Watson would have been selected to the squad, White however felt that there were better options available and political intervention was required for him to earn his debut.
He enjoyed a successful career, he was an extraordinary talent and as mentioned most coaches would have likely selected him for the senior team. Jake White and Luke Watson were simply like oil and water, another case of right player and wrong time. Jake however can point to a World Cup trophy, whether right or wrong, fortunate or unfortunate we will never know and sometimes a career is made or broken by the roll of a dice. Did he fulfil his potential? That will be a debate that will rage for years.
5) Wayne van Heerden (Brandwag, 1998)
Another player who was part of Brandwag’s golden era, Van Heerden was a tall and powerful lock forward who made a big name for himself on the schools circuit.
Perhaps the thing he will be most remembered for was his exceptional agility. I cannot think of a lock that had the qualities Van Heerden had in terms of speed and spatial awareness, this characteristic was perhaps a reason for him not being given an extended opportunity at one of the major Unions who had very rigid systems at the time, this was a player who needed creative freedom to play his game.
His athletic prowess however was recognized by the Blitzbokke who took him on from 2001-2005. His most successful era as a 15’s player was with Griquas whom he represented on 70 occasions. Stints with other provinces as well as a Japan were part of his career, but another player who was perhaps born just a tad too early.
4) Hannes Strydom (Pearson, 1984)
Strydom is only the second Pearson old boy to get his national colours after George Smith in 1938, but he will certainly be the most remembered old boy.
The big lock had great Craven Week performances in 1983 and 1984 and made his senior Eastern Province debut just 2 years later in 1986. The Bulls then came calling, he made the move in 1989 before joining the Lions in 1993 joining the Louis Luyt revolution where the team became a dominant force.
Strydom would go on to represent the Springboks on 21 occasions and would be a starter in the 1995 World Cup final winning South Africa’s first ever trophy.
He tragically passed away in a traffic collision last year at the age of 58, a legend of EP and schools rugby he remains.
3) Danie Saayman (Daniel Pienaar, 1992)
A might pillar of strength, Saayman was a key player and form part of a formidable engine room for a Daniel Pienaar outfit who were a dominant force in Eatern Cape rugby during this time.
His performances at the 1992 Craven Week were rightly rewarded with a SA Schools callup that same year after which he was immediately drafted into the Eastern Province senior setup where he would enjoy several successful years as a player before embarking on a journeyman career representing the Cheetahs, Pumas and Sharks in South Africa before enjoying a strong finish to his career in France playing for Castres on over 100 occasions as well as turning out for Section Paloise and Stade Bagnerais.
2) Basil de Koning (Kingswood, 1990)
One of the most accurate boots in rugby. If you think that was a typing mistake you would be wrong, De Koning was in fact a prolific points scorer and many were in a state of shock when they saw a number 2 placing the ball for a kick but those smirks were gone when they saw that massive and accurate boot in action.
He played Craven week for 3 years and in 1990 was not only selected to the SA Schools team but named captain as well.
After school he represented the Eastern Province senior team after which he transferred to the Griquas and such was his form he was selected to the Cats Super Rugby Squad. He represented the South African Barbarians on numerous occasions playing against the likes of New Zealand, Ireland and England.
He suffered a career ending injury at the age of 29, one wonders how viral a sensation he would be in the age of social media, a hooker that is among the most accurate kickers of his time, surely something we will not see again anytime soon.
1) Lupumlo Mguca (Daniel Pienaar, 2014)
Daniel Pienaar in the 2010’s were respectfully a shadow of their former selves but through this turbulent time there were players who came through the system such as the aforementioned Bezuidenhout and of course who can forget the powerhouse that was Lupumlo Mguca.
A low center of gravity, extremely gifted technically and extremely strong the young proper was even invited to attend a school in New Zealand as part of his development pathway. His performances at Craven Week resulted in him being selected to the SA Schools team in 2014.
Upon leaving school he represented the Eastern Province senior team before embarking on a career in France.