The tall and short of this year’s Craven Week
The heaviest player at 2017's edition is heavier than Bakkies Botha ever was, while the smallest is lighter than the average woman!
The Sharks’ JJ van der Mescht has no problem bringing WP’s Gerardo Jaars to his level. But Border CD’s Whez Gwedlisa needs binoculars to check out the Lions’ giant Stephan le Roux. Photo: Frans Lombaard/ActionPix.
The popular perception about South African schools rugby is that boys are becoming bigger every year.
And this week’s 54th Craven Week, played at St Stithians College in Randburg, has done little to prove otherwise.
2017’s heaviest player weighs a massive 130kg, the hulking JJ van der Mescht from the Sharks.
To balance things though, the 18-year-old lock from Glenwood plays as a lock and, at 2m, is the second tallest player at the tournament too.
However, consider this: he’s 8kg heavier than Springboks legend Bakkies Botha!
Van der Mescht gleefully tells you his frame is down to genes.
“It has to be,” he said with a bit of a smirk.
“My mom is actually just a few centimeters shorter than me. We’re a really tall family.”
The honour of lankiest player belongs to Golden Lions lock Stephan le Roux, a fleet-footed tower standing at 2.01m.
Freakishly, the Monument pupil played on the wing as late as last year.
But you don’t have to be a giant to make an impression at the prestigious youth tournament.
On Monday, Western Province’s Gerardo Jaars scored a fine individual try as replacement scrumhalf in a 36-10 win over the Pumas.
He’s the lightest player at 57kg as well as the shortest at 1.62m.
Jaars, who attends Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, made peace with his small body a long time ago.
“My dad’s a short man,” he said.
“I’m clearly from the same stock. But it’s not about the size of your body, it’s about the size of your heart.”
That’s a lesson Whez Gwedlisa, who’s only a centimeter taller, has applied ever since he started playing rugby six years ago.
“I’m the only member of my family to date to have taken up rugby. I love it,” said the Border Country Districts back, who hails from Chief Henry Bokeni Secondary in Ntlaza.
“It’s difficult to tackle the big guys bit if you aim low and around the legs, you’ll bring him down.”
Craven Week results (day one): Griquas Country Districts 28, Griffons 27. Limpopo Blue Bulls 41, Border Country Districts 3. Free State 81, Boland 26. Western Province 36, Pumas 10. Golden Lions 44, Border 8.
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