New-look Leopards name preliminary sides for provincial weeks
The Leopards, from North-West, will travel to Middelburg with a nearly brand-new squad for the Craven Week, which celebrates its 60th edition in 2025.
KG Legodi and Juan van Rhyn, both from Hoërskool Lichtenburg, and Jordan Radebe, from Hoërskool Vryburg, are the only players returning for a second year.
The Leopards boast notable firepower, especially with three of their schools competing in the higher sections of the fiercely contested SDC Noordvaal Cup.
Legodi retains his position at openside flank, while Van Rhyn graduates from the bench to the starting line-up at hooker. They are joined by three more players from Lichtenburg, taking the school’s tally of representatives to five, which is the most from any school in the union.
Scrumhalf Rea Motsusi earns his first Craven Week cap and a starting place after his blistering start to the season caught the eyes of the selectors. Centre Oratile Sekoto is set to make an impact from the bench, while lock George Bingudzu starts in the second row.
North-West’s most successful school side in recent years, Hoërskool Rustenburg, contributes four players, which is tied for the second-most with Hoërskool Wesvalia and Hoërskool Klerksdorp.
Young fullback Ayden Willemse steps up from the 2024 Grant Khomo Week to face elite competition at the Craven Week. Bradley Snyers, the younger cousin of former Leopards’ representative Lorenzo Snyers, forms part of the back three.
Rustenburg captain Xavier Steenkamp is expected to make his presence felt in the front row, while eighthman Dirk Huizamen adds physicality and weight to an already formidable pack.
From Wesvalia, Eduard Dreyer, who featured at the 2024 Academy Week, steps up to the Craven Week. He is joined by Franco Dumond, the second Dumond to appear in as many years, following in the footsteps of his older brother Francois. Franco packs down behind Wesvalia prop, Ulrich du Preez. Barry Niemand has been named as the reserve scrumhalf behind Motsusi.
Hoërskool Klerksdorp’s inspirational captain, Tiaan Koen, has finally earned his spot and was named as the first-choice blindside flank. His inclusion, alongside Huizamen, gives North-West a significant boost.
Koen is joined by fellow Klersdorpers: wing Elzino Schalwyk, utility back Brendin Mathyse, and the dazzling Winton Abrahams.
Outside centre Jordan Radebe leads a trio from Hoërskool Vryburg. He’s accompanied by Jamie Davids and lock Aiden Jonker.
Matthew Redelinghuys, from Potchefstroom Gimnasium, and De Waal Coetzer, from Potchefstroom Volkskool, round out the squad. They’re the only representatives from Potchefstroom.
TEAMS
Craven Week: 15 Ayden Willemse (Rustenburg), 14 Bradley Snyers (Rustenburg), 13 Jordan Radebe (Vryburg), 12 Winton Abrahams (Klerksdorp), 11 Elzino Schalkwyk (Klerksdorp), 10 Eduard Dreyer (Wesvalia), 9 Rea Motsusi (Lichtenburg), 8 Dirk Huizamen (Rustenburg), 7 Tiaan Koen (Klerksdorp), 6 KG Legodi (Lichtenburg), 5 George Bingudzu (Lichtenburg), 4 Aiden Jonker (Vryburg), 3 Matthew Redelinghuys (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), 2 Juan van Rhyn (Lichtenburg), 1 Ulrich du Preez (Wesvalia). Replacements: 16 Xavier Steenkamp (Rustenburg), 17 Thabang Machubene (Bergsig Akademie), 18 De Waal Coetzer (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 19 Jamie Davids (Vryburg), 20 Franco Dumond (Wesvalia), 21 Barry Niemand (Wesvalia), 22 Oratile Sekoto (Lichtenburg), 23 Brendan Mathyse (Klerksdorp).
Hoërskool Lichtenburg 5 | Hoërskool Rustenburg 4 | Wesvalia 4 | Hoërskool Klerksdorp 4 | Hoërskool Vryburg 3 | Potchefstroom Gimnasium 1 | Potchefstroom Volkskool 1 | Bergsig Akademie 1.
Academy Week: 15 Antonio Pullen (Wolmaransstad), 14 Tyron Masango (Klerksdorp), 13 Lethabo Riet (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 12 Wian du Preez (Wesvalia), 11 Gitso Mabitso (Wolmaransstad), 10 Luan Snyman (Lichtenburg), 9 Juhan Geldenhuys (Potchefstroom Volskool), 8 Letlotlo Tobosi (Wesvalia), 7 Tshepaine Mojoafi, 6 Wian Victor (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 5 Evan van Heerden (Rustenburg), 4 Josh van der Westhuizen (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 3 Suwaiden Williams (Schoonspruit), 2 Fanie Linde (Wesvalia), 1 Deacon Kath (Wesvalia). Replacements: 16 Hanro Nel (Klerksdorp), 17 Louis Fourie (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 18 Ignus Nel (Wesvalia), 19 Omphile Aplane (Wesvalia), 20 Thafelo Thobedi (Wolmaransstad), 21 Rallston Wilson (Klerksdorp), 22 Katleho Seimelo (Vryburg), 23 Markus Jantjies (Klerksdorp).
Wesvalia 6 | Potchefstroom Volkskool 5 | Hoërskool Klerksdorp 4 | Hoërskool Wolmarasstad 3 | Hoërskool Vryburg 1 | Hoërskool Lichtenburg 1 | Schoonspruit 1 | Hoërskool Rustenburg 1 | HTS 1.
