28 November 2023
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.
The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is recognised by players and coaches as one of the best organised and most prestigious South African schoolboy rugby festivals, and its status has been borne out by the participation of many of the country’s top ranked rugby-playing schools over the years.
More teams, more action
Next year’s event in Botha’s Hill will see 14 high school teams and 10 primary school sides participating over three days of play – Thursday, 28 March; Saturday, 30 March; and Monday, 1 April.
The festival celebrates its 15th year in 2024, and since 2013 it has enjoyed the backing of Standard Bank, who will, once again, be the headline sponsor.
High school teams
Four teams from the host province, KwaZulu-Natal, will be in action, and they’re familiar participants in the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival: Glenwood High School, Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High School and Kearsney College.
The line-up also features three newcomers, much to the delight of the organisers: Rondebosch Boys’ High, from Cape Town; Hoërskool Rustenburg, from the North-West; and Hoërskool Brandwag, from Benoni.
They will be joined two powerful Gauteng veterans of the Kearsney event, Hoërskool Monument (Krugersdorp) and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg).
After an excellent inaugural outing last year, during which they impressed with their running rugby and good sportsmanship, Worcester Gimnasium, from the Western Cape, will be back to showcase their skills.
Three Eastern Cape regulars – Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth), Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock) and Nico Malan High School (Humansdorp) – will also make the trip to Kearnsey.
Kimberley’s Hoërskool Noord-Kaap, like Worcester Gimnasium, a team that likes to run the ball, will also grace the festival once more.
A very successful formula
In keeping with a formula, which they have very successfully implemented in football and hockey tournaments, the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is expanding to include primary schools, who will be in action alongside the high school teams.
Referencing their decision to invite primary schools, Kearsney said in a press release: “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.”
Kearsney Headmaster Patrick Lees said he was delighted that the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was still growing, particularly now that it includes 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.
Leave a Reply