Plans are well underway for an extended 2024 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, with next year’s event showcasing additional high school teams as well as a primary schools festival for the first time.
Its status amongst players and coaches as one of the best-organised and prestigious South African schoolboy rugby festivals, is borne out by the participation of many of the country’s top-ranked rugby-playing schools.
Next year’s event at Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill will see 14 high school teams and 10 primary school sides participating over the three play days, Thursday, March 28 to Monday, 1 April.
Going into its 15th year, Standard Bank will once again headline the festival, which it has done since 2013.
Four teams from the host province KwaZulu-Natal will be in action. They are Glenwood High School, Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High School and Kearsney College.
The organisers are delighted to welcome three newcomers, Rondebosch Boys’ High from Cape Town, Hoërskool Rustenburg from the North-West and Hoërskool Brandwag from Benoni.
They will be joined once again by two traditional powerhouse teams from Gauteng, Hoërskool Monument (Krugersdorp) and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg).
After an excellent inaugural outing last year, Worcester Gimnasium from the Western Cape will be back to showcase their skills, together with Eastern Cape regulars Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha/ Port Elizabeth), Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock) and Nico Malan High School (Humansdorp).
Kimberley’s Hoërskool Noord-Kaap will again grace the festival with their exciting running rugby.
Schoolboy rugby plays an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s rugby culture and instils the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and respect in young players. As such, Kearsney is delighted to be launching a primary schools festival in 2024, which will run concurrently with the high schools’ festival.
The presence of the younger players will add to the excitement and family-friendly atmosphere of the event.
Kearsney headmaster Patrick Lees said he was delighted that the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was growing, particularly with the addition of a primary schools’ section.
“We eagerly anticipate some thrilling schoolboy rugby, camaraderie and family fun. It promises to be an event not to be missed,” he said.