Treat for spectators at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival

Apr 11 • General News, School, School Rugby Festivals • 2710 Views • Comments Off on Treat for spectators at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival

Twelve of the country’s top rugby-playing schools, many of which don’t ordinarily play each other during the season, are gearing up for next week’s clashes at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.

A strong mix of teams will be participating this year: Glenwood, Westville and Kearsney (from KZN); Grey College (Bloemfontein), Affies (Pretoria), Monument (Krugersdorp), EG Jansen (Boksburg), HTS Middelburg (Middelburg), Framesby High (Port Elizabeth), Nico Malan (Humansdorp), Selborne College (East London) and Dale College (King William’s Town).

Rugby enthusiasts and spectators can expect exciting running rugby from what has been touted as one of the country’s premier schoolboy rugby festivals. There will be six fixtures on each of the three play days over Easter weekend: Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Monday 21.

Two international rugby referees, Craig Joubert and Marius Jonker, will be officiating at this year’s event.

As testimony to the stature and prestige of the festival, Standard Bank is in the second year of its headline sponsorship, with continued support from Illovo Sugar South Africa, The Sharks, Sharks Academy, KZNRU and newcomers Nashua Durban.

According to The Sharks CEO John Smit, the festival has been “a phenomenal success” since its inception. It provides talented players with an ideal platform to display their ability, whilst also providing talent scouts with three days of focused play from which to discover talent.

Endorsing their support of the event, each year the Sharks Academy has offered bursaries to selected players, which include a contract with the Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its education partners. During this year’s festival three players will be offered full bursaries for 2015, each valued at over R100 000.

A match between three primary school teams – Highbury, Westville Senior Primary and Umhlali Preparatory – and the KZNRU Ibutho u13 development team will kick off each day’s action at 8.30am. Senior teams will play from 9.30am daily.

Entry is R50 per vehicle, which includes a glossy souvenir brochure, and there is ample parking available. Numerous food outlets and a refreshment marquee will ensure spectators are able to fully enjoy the family-friendly event.

2014 FIXTURES
Day 1 Thursday 17 April
08h30 KZN u13 Provincial Development v Umhlali Prep
09h30 Kearsney College v HTS Middelburg
10h45 Framesby v Monument
12h00 Westville v Nico Malan
13h15 Selborne College v Affies
14h30 Glenwood v Dale College
15h45 Grey College v EG Jansen
Day 2 Saturday 19 April
08h30 KZN u13 Provincial Development v Westville Senior Primary
09h30 Selborne College v Framesby
10h45 HTS Middelburg v Nico Malan
12h00 Kearsney College v Dale College
13h15 Glenwood v EG Jansen
14h30 Grey College v Westville
15h45 Affies v Monument
Day 3 Monday 21 April
08h30 KZN u13 Provincial Development v Highbury Prep
09h30 Nico Malan v Dale College
10h45 Glenwood v Framesby
12h00 Westville v Selborne College
13h15 Affies v HTS Middelburg
14h30 Grey v Monument
15h45 Kearsney College v EG Jansen
17h00 Awarding of Sharks Academy Bursaries