Kearsney College announced that Hoërskool Zwartkop will join the 2026 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) line-up next month.
Newcomers to KERF, Zwartkop bring with them an impressive rugby pedigree across the age groups. In 2024, their U16A side was crowned champions of the Noordvaal Plate Division, with a number of those players now forming the backbone of the school’s 1st XV.
Zwartkop replace the Italian outfit, Verona, which announced this week that it will no longer be operating as a club.
Festival organiser and Kearsney’s director of sport, J-P Lubbe, said Zwartkop’s inclusion adds further quality and competitiveness to this year’s event.
“Last season, they were ranked among the top rugby schools in Gauteng, and their progression through the age groups is evident in the strength of their current 1st XV. They are a well-coached, physical side that plays an exciting brand of rugby, and we believe they will add real value and intensity to this year’s festival,” said Lubbe.
“We are grateful to Zwartkop for stepping in at short notice. Their willingness to be part of the festival speaks to the standing of KERF and ensures that spectators can once again look forward to a weekend of top-quality schoolboy rugby.”
The 2026 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival promises another thrilling showcase of schoolboy talent, with leading teams from across South Africa and abroad set to compete.
Zwartkop will join two other tough Gauteng teams - Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg) and newcomers Helpmekaar College (Braamfontein); as well as Hoërskool Rustenburg (North West); Eastern Cape’s Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and Milnerton High School (Cape Town).
Making their KERF debut will be the Catholic University School (Dublin, Ireland); and Peterhouse Boys’ School from Zimbabwe return for their second festival.
KwaZulu-Natal will be represented by Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood High and hosts Kearsney College.
Now in its 17th year, this prestigious festival is widely regarded as one of the country’s premier school rugby events, offering spectators a unique glimpse into top-level school rugby styles.
The three play days over Easter weekend are Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Monday 6th April.
Four U16 girls’ teams will play during lunchtime slots. They are Mowat Park High from Montclair, Grosvenor Girls’ High from the Bluff, Inanda’s Ohlange High School and Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School from Umlazi.
Twelve primary school teams will also enjoy the excitement of playing festival rugby in front of large crowds.
Joining touring Peterhouse College’s U13 team from Zimbabwe will be local teams from Ashton Ballito, Atholl Heights Primary, Chelsea Prep, Highbury Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Kloof Senior Primary, Northlands Primary, Umhlali Prep, Westville Senior Primary, Winston Park, and the KZN Ibutho Development side.
For those unable to attend the festival, games will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. Additional festival information, results, match reports and action photographs will be available on www.kearsney.com during the festival.
To avoid the queues, tickets can be purchased online now, at Quicket.co.za
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF KEARSNEY COLLEGE, BY SUE MILES, WWORDS@IAFRICA.COM, 083-222-5211.