Coca-Cola Craven Week 2017 | Exclusive campaign introduction
PARKLANDS COLLEGE LOCK IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST
South Africa has a distinct rugby culture; it is embedded into our youth from a young age. Young boys begin to learn the fundamentals of the game from the very beginning of their school careers and this is how the country has produced some of the most exciting talents that the sport has to offer. For Ian Ketwanga, this was not the case, however, despite being one of DHL Western Province’s most exciting young talents, has only been playing the game for three years.
A giant in stature, Ian towers over the rest of his rugby class at Parklands College at 2 meters tall, he made the switch from playing basketball and soccer to rugby 3 years ago and has never looked back. His love for rugby is second to none, and he will not stop until he reaches his dream of representing South Africa at the highest level, in green and gold. Ketwanga knows that he must take it one step at a time, and that begins with making the DHL Western Province Coca-Cola Craven Week team.
He went on to explain what this achievement would mean to him, “Last year I felt that I was so close to making the Coca-Cola Craven Week team, being selected for the Academy week instead. The week was one of the best in my life, as I learnt so much and really enjoyed playing with my teammates, but this year I want to take the next step and make major impact at the Coca-Cola Craven Week. It would mean the absolute world to me to represent my province at this prestigious event.”
Ian has been part the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks tournaments since he made the switch to Rugby, having also played for the u16 DHL Western Province team in 2015. It is safe to say the sky is the limit for this humble off-the-field/ terrifying on-the-field giant.
DHL Western Province is historically one of the most successful franchises in the country, with some of the biggest sporting schools in the province producing the majority of the talent over the years, but as seen with Ian Ketwanga, it would be unwise to discount the players coming from the smaller rugby schools, because sometimes, small can make very big.
FRANCKE HORN – BOISHAAI’S LEADER SET TO GO THE DISTANCE
Originally from Bredasdorp, Francke Horn is Boishaai’s 8th man and currently participating in the Coca-Cola Craven Week trial process. Despite an intense couple of weeks going up against the toughest and most talented that Western Province has to offer, Horn says he is excited to see what his future in rugby holds.
A prodigy from a young age; once he moved to Boishaai in grade 8 it did not take long for the coaches to recognise his talent straight away as well as his immense leadership qualities, which led him to captain the u14A team. He didn’t stop there, as he was soon selected to play and captain his province at the Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week.
The provincial selections continued to pour in, with Francke subsequently being selected to play for DHL Western Province team at the 7s, again as captain – a true leader of the pack.
Rugby runs deep into Horn’s roots, with his father having played in the Coca-Cola Craven Week whilst residing in Graaff-Reinet. Francke went on to share the positive impact his family has had on his rugby career so far,” My parents are extremely supportive of my career in rugby. They attend each and every game without fail and always travel with me during the tournaments. Their messages before and after the game are truly something special! My dad and I often discuss my game, and how I can improve – he has experienced this himself, and it helps my growth in the game, a lot!”
The Boishaai First XV captain has dreams of taking his career all the way to the very highest level, and there is absolutely no doubt that he has all the right tools to get there. Horn shows a maturity far beyond his age as he stresses the importance of academic studies is to compliment a career in rugby and will be completing a degree through UNISA.
The country will most definitely have two eyes on this young talent.
2017 SA Rugby Youth Weeks dates and venues:
- LSEN Week: 3 to 6 July 2017 – Durban (Glenwood High)
• U16 and U18 National Girls Weeks: 3 to 7 July – HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom
• U13 Craven Week and U16 Grant Khomo Week: 10 to 14 July – Grey College, Bloemfontein
• U18 Craven Week and Academy Week: 17 to 22 July – St Stithians College, Johannesburg
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