Latest news with #U18InternationalSeries
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
U18 Craven Week kicks off in Middelburg: All the first round fixtures
An exciting week of schoolboy rugby is in store. The 2025 Craven Week for high schools kicks off at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Monday. All the teams will play three matches, with the final scheduled for Saturday. Teams will play Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, with all the provincial sides in action in their third matches on Saturday. At the conclusion of the tournament, the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams will be announced. They will face each other at Hoërskool Middelburg on Thursday, 17 July, while the U18 International Series will follow in August. Returnees to the Craven Week Nine players who featured in the SA Schools and SA U18 teams last year have been included in their provincial squads again. They are Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste (all WP), Ethan Adams, AJ Meyer (both Free State), Zekhe Siyaya (KZN), André Poulton (Lions), and Joshua McKenzie (EP). Eight teams are in action on the opening day of the tournament, with the Western Province XV and the Griffons meeting in the first fixture at 9.30am. Free State, who went down to Western Province in the final match of the 2024 tournament, will face South Western Districts thereafter. The first round of fixtures have been announced. The second and third round of fixtures will be announced after the first round. Day One schedule (Monday, 7 July) 9.30am: Western Province XV v Griffons 11am: Free State v South Western Districts 12.30pm: Blue Bulls v Golden Lions 2pm: Opening Ceremony 2.30pm: Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls Day Two schedule (Tuesday, 8 July) 10am: Leopards v Falcons 11.30am: Border v Griquas 1pm: Sharks High Schools v Eastern Province 2.30pm: Western Province v Boland
The South African
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Craven Week: Day 1 fixtures and results - Monday, 7 July
The opening round fixtures for this year's U18 Craven Week to be hosted by Middelburg High School in Mpumalanga have been announced. This year will be the 60th edition of the tournament – and the third time it will be hosted by Middelburg. The two previous editions took place in 1978 and 2014. Western Province are the defending champions and are currently on a 15-match win streak at Craven Week. The Cape side's 37-24 win over Free State in last year's main match was their fifth consecutive victory in the unofficial 'final'. It would take a brave man to bet against Western Province contesting this year's final such has been the dominance of the Cape schools this season. Western Province have a number of players returning from last year's side which bodes well for their chances. Somewhat surprisingly, however, considering their dominance in 2025 and their place atop the 'unofficial' schoolboy rankings, Paarl Gimnasium only have two members of the 23-player Western Province team. Paarl Boys' High and Rondebosch Boys' High each contribute five players, while four come from Wynberg Boys' High. Along with Paarl Gimnsium, Boland Landbou, Stellenberg and Paul Roos all have two players, while the final member of the team, loose forward Briint Davids, hails from Milnerton. Western Province will begin their campaign against neighbours Boland in the main match on Day 2. Nine players who featured in the SA Schools and SA U18 teams last year have been included in their provincial squads again. They are Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste (all WP), Ethan Adams, AJ Meyer (both Free State), Zekhe Siyaya (KZN), André Poulton (Lions), and Joshua McKenzie (EP). At the conclusion of the tournament, the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams will be announced. They will face each other at Hoërskool Middelburg on Thursday, 17 July, while the U18 International Series will follow in August. This year's U18 Craven Week will run from 7 to 12 July. Western Province XV v Griffons – 09:30 Free State v South Western Districts – 11:00 Blue Bulls v Golden Lions – 12:30 Opening ceremony – 14:00 Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls – 14:30 Leopards v Valke – 10:00 Border v Griquas – 11:30 Sharks v Eastern Province – 13:00 Western Province v Boland – 14:30 NOTE: Fixtures for the remainder of the tournament will be confirmed following each day's play. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
The making of Gino Cupido: A rising star in South African rugby
In a candid conversation, Gino Cupido opens up about his upbringing, his sporting achievements, and the passions that fuel his drive. Gino Cupido has quickly risen through the ranks of South African rugby. Known for his explosive speed and versatility, he made his mark as a standout age-grade player for Western Province, the Junior Springboks, and more recently, the Blitzboks. After debuting for the national sevens team at the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens, Cupido has already proven himself as one of South Africa's most promising young talents. But behind the rapid rise is a young man grounded in faith, community, humility — and a deep understanding that the road from a small village to the world stage is paved with far more than talent alone. The 19-year-old hails from Sir Lowry's Pass Village, a tight-knit coloured community tucked between Somerset West and Grabouw, and like so many others, is often forgotten in South Africa's rugby landscape. 'People think I'm from the Strand, but I'm actually from the Sir Lowry's. Our community club Sir Lowrians RFC is where it all started for me. And there are many other excellent players, just like me, at the club, who fall through the cracks because of lack of opportunities.' Growing up, Cupido never imagined becoming one of South Africa's most talked-about rugby prodigies and he is adamant what he represents is far bigger than personal success, it's pride for a community and hope for those who come from the same streets. 'It's a big deal, especially from our community. It's special to make my parents and our small town proud. I thank them for everything. Without them, I wouldn't be here.' From Hoërskool Strand, where he captained teams and sprinted on the athletics track, Cupido progressed through the Western Province age-group systems, starred at the 2022 Craven Week, and then burst onto the national radar in 2023 at the Commonwealth Youth Games and the U18 International Series – scoring tries, winning medals, and standing tall against top opposition. Then came 2024, and with it his senior Currie Cup debut for Western Province. Still a teenager, Cupido showed his quality in matches against seasoned opponents, gaining invaluable experience. He then earned a call-up to the Junior Boks U20 squad and later a place in the South Africa 'A' sevens squad for Dubai Invitational. But it was his 2025 Blitzboks debut that truly made headlines. Named in the squad for the Hong Kong Sevens, coach Philip Snyman called him an 'unknown quantity with great potential.' Within minutes of his debut, Cupido silenced any doubts, sprinting 95 metres to score a stunning try against Uruguay. He added three more in the tournament before injury briefly sidelined him. 'After I scored that first try, I kept watching the video on my phone, asking myself, 'Is that really me?' It's a moment I'll never forget,' he reflects. More recently, he starred for the Junior Boks in the U20 Rugby Championship and has since made the squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship. And even though he missed out on selection for South Africa's campaign opener against Australian, he was named in the team for Friday's showdown against England. Beyond rugby though, Gino speaks with striking maturity about the diversity, team culture, and human connection within this Junior Bok side. 'We all come from different backgrounds, so I get to know what other people's circumstances are. It's not just about rugby – I learn how to work with people, how to respect that not everyone is the same.' He talks about team dynamics with care: 'Sometimes you can joke, sometimes you can't. I'm learning day by day how to work with different personalities.' Cupido's humility is unshakable, even as fame begins to circle him. 'For me, it's not about being famous. I always pray to God to stay true to myself. Because that's all I can be.' 'Success for me is about becoming better in my sport and as a person. Everything has to be in balance.' It's this authenticity that endears him to coaches and teammates alike. 'Every coach I've worked with played a different role in my journey,' he says. From his school coaches to WP mentors and Blitzboks guru Philip Snyman, he names each with reverence. 'They all connect with players — there's love in how they coach. That's special.' Cupido is now a key figure in both the Blitzboks and Junior Springboks setups. Looking ahead, he aspires to lift the Currie Cup, compete in the URC, and ultimately wear the green and gold of the Springboks. But he knows there are no shortcuts. 'I have goals. Big ones. But I also know it's going to take hard work, day by day. That's what it's about.' He may be young. But Gino Cupido already carries the spirit of a veteran – steady, faithful, and fiercely determined. As he says, 'I'm playing for myself, my family, and my town. And I know what I have to do to succeed.' HAVE YOU SEEN GINO CUPIDO IN ACTION YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
