Top rugby schools in Easter showdown
Three top rugby-playing schools from Gauteng will be participating in this year’s Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival in KZN.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from Thursday to Monday, April 17 to 21.
Now in its seventh year, the 2014 festival has again attracted many of SA’s top rugby schools, including Afrikaanse Seuns Hoërskool (Affies) (Pretoria), Monument (Krugersdorp) and EG Jansen (Boksburg).
All 12 participating schools are renowned for their rugby pedigree and were widely regarded as being among the top teams in the country at the end of last season. Their participation reinforces the prestigious status of the Kearsney College Festival.
Other participating teams are Grey College (Bloemfontein), Framesby High (Port Elizabeth), Nico Malan (Humansdorp), Selborne College (East London), HTS Middelburg (Middelburg) and Dale College (King William’s Town), with Glenwood, Westville and Kearsney College from host province KZN.
Speaking at the launch of the 2014 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg said the festival had grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2008.
“Six fixtures would be held on each of the three play days and the festival is sure to provide exciting, highly entertaining play,” he said.
Sharks CEO and former Springbok captain, John Smit, said they were proud of their association with the festival which, since its inception, has been “a phenomenal success” and attracted the top rugby-playing schools from around the country.
“This event gives youngsters an ideal platform to display their talent and ability; and, who knows, they could be scouted to play at a higher level,” he said.
Talent scouts from the Sharks and Sharks Academy would be watching during the three playing days.
Van den Aardweg acknowledged the festival sponsors, whose valued support has enabled the festival to grow over the years.
“The Sharks and Sharks Academy have supported the Kearsney Festival since its inception, whilst Illovo Sugar South Africa remained a valued sponsor, together with Nashua Durban and several other partners and companies,” he said.
Festival director Taff Green said he was delighted to welcome back Selborne College, which has played in every one of the Kearsney festivals since inception.
EG Jansen has played in six Kearsney festivals and Grey College, Glenwood and Dale College have each participated in five.
