The launch of the 13th edition of the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was attended by lovers of the game across the spectrum – from current and former Springboks to Sharks players to coaches and rugby journalists.
Traditionally, the three-play days of the festival held over the Easter weekend, attracts strong teams from across the country, offering an exciting mix of playing styles, and 2020 promises to be no different.
Selborne College is expected to bring their special brand of rugby which they have displayed each year since the inaugural 2008 edition of the rugby jamboree.
Glenwood and Dr EG Jansen have both played at 10 festivals. Spectators will be delighted to see Westville back, together with another local team, DHS, which has played at four previous festivals, including the last two.
Endorsing the festival, managing director of the Sharks Academy Etienne Fynn said the event has consistently showcased some of the top schoolboy rugby talent that South Africa has to offer.
Fynn, a former Bok tight-head prop, added that the number of players currently representing provincial teams who have participated in the festival was proof of how rugby in South Africa has benefited from the festival.
Prime examples are Sharks and SA Sevens player Tera Mtembu, who captained Dale College at the festival in 2009 and was awarded a Sharks Academy bursary, the exciting Aphelele Fassi who was also awarded a Sharks Academy bursary at the festival when he captained Dale in 2017 and Mzamo Majola who represented Westville Boys’ High at the festival in 2013.
Talent scouts and selectors from the Sharks and Sharks Academy will watch all three-play days over the Easter weekend and the Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2021 to three selected players.
Fixtures and festival information are available on www.kearsney.com
