GLENWOOD High School, Westville Boys’ High School, Durban High School and Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the 2022 Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival this April.
Kearsney College confirmed the much-awaited rugby action last week at a launch in the President’s Suite at Kings Park Stadium. This is after a two-year Covid-19 induced absence.
The festival will showcase four powerhouse teams from Gauteng; Hoërskool Monument (Monnas) from Krugersdorp, Pretoria Boys High, Hoërskool Waterkloof (Pretoria) and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg).
Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley will be returning to the festival, as well as three strong Eastern Cape teams, Selborne College (East London), Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and newcomers Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock).
Since the inaugural festival in 2008, the festival has played an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s schoolboy rugby culture and growth.
The Sharks high performance manager, Michael Horak, said the festival made a welcome resumption for players and supporters after the enforced break.
“The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is one that every young rugby player strives to be a part of. The Sharks Academy has been a proud partner of this iconic festival since its inception. We continue to back the effectiveness and importance that it holds in attracting the best schoolboy teams from the country,” said Horak.
Speaking at the launch of the 13th festival, Kearsney headmaster, Elwyn van den Aardweg acknowledged the festival sponsors’ support which had assisted the event to grow each year.
Talent scouts and selectors from The Sharks and Sharks Academy will watch all three play days over the Easter weekend; Thursday 14, Saturday 16 and Monday 18 April. The Sharks Academy will once again offer bursaries to selected players after the festival.
Four primary school teams will be offered the opportunity to participate, providing young players with the excitement and challenges of playing on a full-size field in front of large crowds.
This year; Hillcrest Primary, Highbury and Umhlali Preparatory will each face the KZN Rugby Union’s Ibutho-Mark Godefroy U13 team to open each day’s play.
There will be an exciting KidZone for the little ones, ample parking, as well as numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent to ensure spectators can fully enjoy the special family atmosphere.
Fixtures and festival information are available on www.kearsney.com and, for those unable to attend, it will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app.
* Berea Mail