THE much-anticipated 2023 fast-paced schoolboy rugby festival, the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, has attracted 11 top-ranked SA teams and the UK’s current league champions.
This was announced at the official launch on Wednesday, March 1, at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
This 14th festival promises thrilling match-ups over the three play days – Thursday, 6 April, Saturday, 8 April, and Monday, 10 April.
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Glenwood, Westville, Durban High School (DHS) and hosts Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal. Returning to the festival are two powerhouse teams from Gauteng – Hoërskool Monument and Dr EG Jansen – and exciting Eastern Cape regulars Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth), Dale College (Qonce/King Williams Town) and Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock), as well as Kimberley’s Hoërskool Noord-Kaap.
The organisers said they are excited to welcome newcomers Worcester Gimnasium from the Western Cape and Hartpury College from the UK. Hartpury has won the UK’s national ACE League final 10 times in the last 12 years, and was named the best in the world at producing professional rugby players in a study by NextGenXV.
In keeping with the festival’s tradition, four primary school teams and an U13 development team have also been invited to showcase their skills. They are Highbury Preparatory, Hillcrest Senior Primary, Westville Senior Primary and Umhlali Preparatory, as well as the KZNRU Ibutho / Mark Godefroy team. An U13 game will kick off play each day, followed by six high school fixtures.
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