Middies stars set for Craven Week glory
• CW Hanekom, known between the players as 'Balsteel Hanekom', will be playing number six, flanker, for the u/18 Puma team that will partake in the Craven Week.
He said he has been playing rugby since he was six years old and that it has been one of his biggest dreams to play in the Craven Week, 'I would really like to try to get a contract after school, but if I don't, I would really like to play for Maties, Tuks or Pukke.'
He thinks that the Western Province will be their biggest opponent this year, and his favourite player is Ardie Savea.
• Keabetswe Nkgadima, better known as 'Beast', is the scrum-half for the team.
He has been playing rugby for nine years and said the dream has always been Craven Week. He hopes for a rugby scholarship at one of the big universities next year, and has been trying to improve his skills every day.
He also thinks Western Province will be the toughest competition.
His favourite rugby player is Grant Williams.
• Katlego Baloyi, also known as 'KP', is a fullback.
'It all started in the backyard. I first grasped a rugby ball with trembling hands and wild-eyed wonder beside my brother. He was my first teammate and fiercest rival. The grass soon ignited a roaring inferno of passion within me, and the untamed thrill of the game became my heartbeat. By the age of six, I was no longer just playing, I was living rugby, each match, each pass a promise to chase greatness. Partaking in the 2025 Craven Week is a prayer answered in yet another step closer towards greatness.'
After school, he said he will pursue a career in rugby 'because it is more than a dream, it's a calling'.
His favourite rugby player is Damian Willemse.
• Matthew Abbey, known as Matt on the field, is the fly-half.
'I have been playing rugby since I was in Grade One. Since I was in Grade Eight, it has been my goal to be chosen for the Craven Week. It kept me motivated to keep on working, and I was dedicated to achieving my goal.'
Their first match is against the Limpopo Blue Bulls, 'We will prepare well and take it match by match.'
His favourite rugby player is Finn Russell.
• Roux Grobler, who is called Roux'ie by his friends, is the hooker for the team.
'I've been playing rugby since I was a young boy. It has always been a dream of mine to make the Craven Week team, it's something I've worked towards for years.'
He would like to continue playing rugby after school and, hopefully, take it to a professional level one day.
'I think our strongest opponents will be the Western Province and the Cheetahs. Schools from the Cape are very strong, and teams like Grey always bring serious competition.'
His favourite rugby player is Malcolm Marx.
Kefilwe Phamotse, or 'Jet Shoes' on the field, is the wing for the team.
'I have been playing rugby for seven years, and the dream of playing in the Craven Week only began when my coach, Mr Tertius Harmse, scouted me to play for his u/15A team at MHS.
He would love to play rugby professionally after school.
'In the week, everybody will come with guns blazing, and every game will be a tough game!'
His favourite rugby player is Rieko Ioane.
• Khensani Buthelezi (lock and open side flanker) is called Kenny on the field.
'I've been playing rugby since I was in Grade One, and seeing all the Craven Week players as a youngster, it was always a dream to make the Craven Week team.'
He said he does have plans on continuing playing rugby in probably a university like Maties after school.
'Our preparation for the Craven Week is really good, and we are doing great after the practice games. I am confident with the team, and our biggest challenge is going to be WP, if we play against them.'
His favourite rugby player is Siya Kolisi, 'I really look up to him, and he's a great leader too.'
• Lungelo Maseko, better known as Lungi, is the inside centre.
'I started playing rugby in Grade Five, but started loving it in Grade Seven, and since then, I've always wanted to play for the Pumas in the Craven Week.'
If the opportunity presents itself, he would like to go on with his rugby career after school.
'Our toughest game is against every team in Craven Week, because every team has something to prove!'
His favourite rugby player is Rieko Ioane.
The following players were selected for the Academy Week:
Buhle Mphahlaza (Skhebe) as flyhalf or fullback, Dewald du Toit (Dewies) as tighthead prop, Hencoe Janse van Rensburg (Choek) as eighth man, Siboniso Mahlangu (Biggy) as outside centre, Zanempilo Mahlangu (Brood) as lock and loose forward, and Lesego Rakale (Raaks) as wing or fullback.
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