In an exciting development, the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) will have 28 teams participating in this year’s 16^th edition; with 12 boys’ high school sides, 12 primary school teams and, for the first time, a girls’ high school division. The line-up of competitive teams from across South Africa was confirmed today (Tuesday), and will also include a strong Zimbabwean team. Durban High School, Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood and hosts Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal in the senior boys’ division, with a touring team from Peterhouse Boys’ School in Zimbabwe confirmed to demonstrate their special brand of rugby.

They will be joined by the perennial powerhouse teams from Gauteng – Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg) and Hoërskool Monument (Krugersdorp); with the exciting Eastern Cape teams Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and Dale College (Qonce), as well as Hoërskool Rustenburg (North West).  Newcomers at this year’s festival are Hoërskool Durbanville and Milnerton High School from the Western Cape, who will add another dimension to the action.The three play days over the Easter weekend are Thursday 17^th, Saturday 19^th and Monday 21^st April. John Plumtree, head coach of the Sharks, said boys who were chosen to represent their schools at the festival should realise that talent alone wasn’t enough for them to succeed in rugby.

“It takes an enormous amount of discipline, hard work and effort once these boys leave school, if they want to take their rugby further.” He said KERF provides an opportunity for players to enjoy the incredible experience and fun of playing in a major festival, as well as the opportunity to be noticed and to advance their rugby careers. In confirming this year’s participating teams, Kearsney headmaster Patrick Lees said he was delighted that a girls’ component had been added to KERF this year.

Kearsney College headmaster Patrick Lees, Sharks coach John Plumtree and Kearsney director of rugby Keegan Daniel

He said the growth of the festival, which will include three divisions for the first time, highlighted its invaluable role in the development of the country’s school rugby culture and growth since the inaugural festival in 2008.

He acknowledged the immense contribution of festival sponsors, whose invaluable support has assisted the event to grow each year. Kuben Chetty, head of Standard Bank’s Commercial Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, said the bank was honoured to again partner with Kearsney and its long-running festival. “We believe that sports and education are pivotal in cultivating well-rounded individuals, fostering healthy competition, and encouraging teamwork for a prosperous future”, he said.

Halfway Ford Waterfall has also remained a major festival sponsor. Chilton Penery, chief operating officer of Halfway Group’s Auto Division, said they were privileged to again be associated with KERF, “as team sports are great platforms to mould our youth and provide a deeper purpose in life”. Bringing a new dimension to this year’s festival, four U16 girls’ teams will play during lunchtime slots. They are Adams College from Amanzimtoti, Mowat Park in Montclair, George Campbell School of Technology in Durban, and Richards Bay High School.

Twelve primary school teams will also enjoy the excitement and challenges of playing on a full-sized field in front of large crowds.Joining Harare Lions, a junior Zimbabwean club team, will be local teams from Chelsea Prep, Glenwood Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Highbury, Kloof Senior Primary, Penzance Primary, Umhlali Prep, Westville Senior Primary and Winston Park; as well as the uThukela team from Bergville and KZN Ibutho Development side.

Considered to be one of the most prestigious and well-organised schools’ rugby festivals in South Africa, teams travel with families and supporters to enjoy KERF’s spectacle of running rugby in a family-friendly festival atmosphere on Kearsney’s beautiful campus.There will be a fun KidZone for the little ones, ample parking, as well as numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent to ensure spectators can fully enjoy the weekend’s sporting entertainment.

For those unable to attend the festival, games will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. Additional festival information, results, match reports and action photographs will be available on www.kearsney.com during the festival.