2023 Under-18 Craven Week to be hosted in George

The 2023 Under-18 Craven Week schools rugby event will be held at Hoërskool Outeniqua in George.

The event is set for 3-7 July as the Southern Cape school celebrates its centenary year.

SA Rugby's 2023 Youth Weeks programme will start with the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Paul Roos Gymnasium's Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch (26-30 June), which will be followed by the U18 Craven Week.

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 10-14 July.

Western Province beat the Blue Bulls 29-21 in last year's unofficial Craven Week final at Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the Youth Weeks 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 who 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 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 realise their dreams, especially Stadio, McDonald's and Freddy Hirsch."

Meanwhile, the South African Schools Rugby Association (Sasra), in