Steelcrest's Piet Bothma speaks of Craven Week as chair of Puma Rugby Association
The election of Bothma as chairperson is another acknowledgement of Middelburg's standards in school rugby, alongside the privilege of playing host to the prestige FNB Youth Weeks, for not the second but the third time in history.
Bothma has ample experience in rugby coaching, and as principal of Steelcrest High School, he was elected by all high schools in Mpumalanga to act as chairperson for the association.
According to Bothma, it is an immense honour and privilege to work alongside Hoërskool Middelburg, its principal, and vice principal, as well as the school's governing body.
'Without their support, it would have been a mammoth task to organise an event of such magnitude, and it begs to be said that Hoërskool Middelburg is one of the few schools with the facilities to host both the Craven Week and Academy Week at the same time and in the same location. The two have previously taken place after each other.'
Bothma further said that Hoërskool Middelburg will be hosting 36 teams in total, 16 teams in the Craven Week and 20 teams in the Academy Week.
The Craven Week will be kicking off on Monday with WP XV facing the Griffons first at 09:30; followed by the Free State vs SWD Eagles at 11:00; the Bulls vs Lions at 12:30; the Craven Week opening ceremony at 14:00; followed by the Pumas vs Limpopo as the final match for the day at 14:30.
Bothma further informed that there is no tournament format, 'The tournament is all about rugby, meaning winners will play winners and losers will play losers. A ranking committee will determine match fixtures according to points.'
Bothma also spoke about how the Craven Week and Academy Week would contribute towards the development of talent in school rugby.
'The standard of school rugby in our community is already at a high level, however, both events will offer the opportunity for aspiring players to watch the matches and learn more about rugby at a professional level.'
'The Vuka League will also contribute towards the development of school rugby aside from the Craven and Academy Week.'
According to Bothma, this is the fourth time Mpumalanga will be hosting the tournament, with Hoërskool Middelburg hosting it the first time in 1978, then HTS Middelburg in 2014, as well as Hoërskool Middelburg hosting it now. It was also hosted in Mbombela previously.
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