Bryanston High School rugby festival

Marketing officer of the school, Liz Edwards said 10 rugby teams from Gauteng high schools and 10 teams from KwaZulu-Natal competed in the festival.

She explained that in the late 70s and early 80s, a number of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal schools used to independently play each other on an annual basis.

She said a number of Gauteng coaches and principals originally came up with the idea of creating a festival of rugby by combining all these traditional fixtures, and playing them at one central venue each year. Edwards said, “The festival has its roots in the early 1980s and is one of oldest rugby festivals in Johannesburg. The festival would alternate between Durban and Johannesburg each year.”

She said although the schools that played in the festival have changed over the years and new schools are invited to play, the traditions and strong relationships between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng schools have remained. “The festival this year was a success, with hosts Bryanston High School and Randpark High School being the only two Gauteng schools to win both their fixtures,” said Edwards. “Bryanston High School thanks all sponsors and participating schools and looks forward to building on these relationships and camaraderie built up over the festival.”