{"id":65033,"date":"2025-02-19T10:26:19","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T08:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=65033"},"modified":"2025-02-19T10:26:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T08:26:19","slug":"kearsney-easter-rugby-festival-grows-to-28-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=65033","title":{"rendered":"Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival grows to 28 teams"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Headmaster
Headmaster Patrick Lees, Sharks’ coach John Plumtree, and Kearsney College Director of Rugby, Keegan Daniel, at the launch of the 2025 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival in Botha’s Hill. Photo: Hannah Shirley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2025 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF)<\/strong> will play host to a record 28 teams.<\/p>\n

The 16th<\/sup> edition of the popular event includes 12 high school boys’ teams, 12 primary school teams, and, in a first, four high school girls’ teams.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, the lineup for the boys’ high school competition was revealed at the launch of KERF in Botha’s Hill, where The Sharks<\/strong>‘ coach, John Plumtree<\/strong>, was the guest of honour.<\/p>\n

He said he plans to attend some matches. “I sit and enjoy the games,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus<\/strong>. “It’s not like I come up here looking to recruit a Shark. But if I notice something, I’ll ask for a name. You can’t help that. It’s a natural thing for a coach to do.<\/p>\n

“School rugby in this country is unreal. It’s just so well supported.”<\/p>\n

Plumtree said KERF provides an opportunity for players to enjoy the incredible experience and fun of playing in a major festival, as well as an opportunity for them to be noticed and to advance their rugby careers.<\/p>\n

KwaZulu-Natal’s representatives \u2013 Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong>, Westville Boys’ High<\/strong>, Glenwood<\/strong>, and the hosts, Kearsney College<\/strong> – have a familiar look to them. They’re KERF regulars.<\/p>\n

After both produced outstanding seasons in 2024, most will look to DHS, who were unbeaten at KERF last year, and Westville to carry local hopes, but Glenwood could bear watching. They had an extremely young 1st<\/sup> XV in 2024 and will return with plenty of experience this year. Kearsney will, meanwhile, enjoy the services of the highly regarded Grant Bashford<\/strong> as their coach.<\/p>\n

Gauteng’s reps are also familiar powerhouses: Dr EG Jansen<\/strong> and Ho\u00ebrskool Monument<\/strong>, while Ho\u00ebrskool Framesby<\/strong> will again fly the Eastern Cape’s flag. They’ll be joined by Dale College<\/strong>, who make a return to the festival. Renowned for their running rugby, Dale will be a popular addition to the make-up of the tournament.<\/p>\n

There are two newcomers from the Western Cape: Milnerton High School<\/strong> and Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville<\/strong>. Last year, Milnerton was one of the most exciting teams in the country and played with a remarkable never-say-attitude that brought them, among others, wins at Bishops and Rondebosch Boys’ High. Against ‘Bosch, a team that went unbeaten at KERF, they trailed 3-33 before a stunning fightback brought them a jaw-dropping 34-33 win<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

While 2024 was not a vintage year for Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville, their 2023 season was something to behold. It included a 26-25 win over Paarl Boys’ High<\/strong>. However, last year, Durbanville won the Cape Schools Sevens<\/strong><\/a>, which was part of the national High Schools Sevens Series, proudly sponsored by Toyota<\/strong>. That suggests there is pace and skill within Durbies<\/strong><\/em>‘ ranks.<\/p>\n

Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg<\/strong>, from the North West, completes the South African sides. They made their first appearance at KERF last year and were involved in one of the matches of the event against Worcester Gimnasium, going down 25-26<\/strong><\/a>. They were also trounced by a superb DHS team, so they will welcome an opportunity to take another crack at School<\/strong><\/em> on the opening day.<\/p>\n

\"DHS
DHS overpowered Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg at the 2024 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, but Rusties will have another shot at School on the opening day of the 2025 festival. Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An exciting addition is the inclusion of Peterhouse<\/strong>, the brother school of Michaelhouse<\/strong>. Zimbabwean schools are renowned for playing an attractive running brand of rugby and they should enjoy strong crowd support.<\/p>\n

The action happens over the Easter weekend, on Thursday, 17 April, Saturday, 19 April, and Monday, 21 April. Stott Field<\/strong>, the main rugby field at Kearsney, is one of the prettiest venues in the country, and the action will be streamed live on SuperSport Schools<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the 28 teams, Kearsney headmaster Patrick Lees<\/strong> said he was delighted that a girls\u2019 component had been added to KERF this year.<\/p>\n

He noted that it is the first time that the festival will feature three divisions and highlighted its invaluable role in the development of the country’s school rugby culture and growth since the inaugural festival in 2008.<\/p>\n

Kearsney has been a forerunner in the development of various sports at its festivals, with the Kearsney Soccer Tournament<\/strong> including primary schools and girls’ schools, and its iHlobo Cricket Festival<\/strong> including primary schools.<\/p>\n

Lees acknowledged the immense contribution of the KERF sponsors, whose invaluable support has assisted the event to grow each year.<\/p>\n

Kuben Chetty<\/strong>, the head of Standard Bank’<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Halfway Ford Waterfall<\/strong> has also remained a major festival sponsor. Chilton Penery<\/strong>, COO 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.”<\/p>\n

The trailblazers for girls’ rugby at KERF are the u16 teams of Adams College<\/strong>, from Amanzimtoti, Mowat Park<\/strong>, from Montclair, Durban’s George Campbell School of Technology<\/strong>, and Richards Bay High School<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Eleven primary schools from KZN will be joined by the Harare Lions<\/strong>, a junior Zimbabwean club team. The KZN line-up features Chelsea Prep<\/strong>, Glenwood Prep<\/strong>, Hillcrest Primary<\/strong>, Highbury Prep<\/strong>, Kloof Senior Primary<\/strong>, Penzance Primary<\/strong>, Umhlali Prep<\/strong>, Westville Senior Primary<\/strong>, and Winston Park<\/strong>; as well as the uThukela<\/strong> team, from Bergville, and the KZN Ibutho Development<\/strong> side.<\/p>\n

The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is renowned for its fun, family-friendly environment and there will, as usual, be plenty to keep everyone entertained. There will be a fun KidZone for the little ones, ample parking, numerous food outlets, and a refreshment tent, to ensure spectators can fully enjoy the weekend’s sporting entertainment.
\n
\nBOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL FIXTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, 17 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Milnerton High School vs Peterhouse
\n09:20 – Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville vs Dale College
\n10:40 – Durban High School vs Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg
\n13:00 – Kearsney College vs Ho\u00ebrskool Dr EG Jansen
\n14:20 – Ho\u00ebrskool Monument vs Glenwood High School
\n15:40 – Westville Boys’ High vs Ho\u00ebrskool Framesby<\/p>\n

Saturday, 19 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville vs Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg
\n09:20 – Ho\u00ebrskool Framesby vs Peterhouse
\n10:40 – Milnerton High School vs Glenwood High School
\n13:00 – Westville Boys’ High vs Ho\u00ebrskool Dr EG Jansen
\n14:20 – Kearsney College vs Dale College
\n15:40 – Ho\u00ebrskool Monument vs Durban High School<\/p>\n

Monday, 21 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Ho\u00ebrskool Monument vs Milnerton High School
\n09:20 – Glenwood High School vs Dale College
\n10:40 – Ho\u00ebrskool Framesby vs Ho\u00ebrskool Dr EG Jansen
\n12:50 – Closing Ceremony
\n13:00 – Durban High School vs Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville
\n14:20 – Westville Boys’ High vs Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg
\n15:40 – Kearsney College vs Peterhouse
\n
\nGIRLS’ U16 FIXTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, 17 April<\/p>\n

12:00 – Mowat Park High vs Adams College
\n12:00 – George Campbell vs Richards Bay High School<\/p>\n

Saturday, 19 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

12:00 – Adams College vs George Campbell
\n12:00 – Mowat Park High vs Richards Bay High School<\/p>\n

Monday, 21 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

11:00 – Mowat Park High vs George Campbell
\n12:00 – Adams College vs Richards Bay High School<\/p>\n

PRIMARY SCHOOL FIXTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, 17 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Highbury Prep vs Kloof Senior Primary
\n09:00 – Penzance Primary vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
\n10:00 – Winston Park Primary vs Westville Senior Primary
\n11:00 – Hillcrest Primary vs Chelsea Prep
\n13:00 – Umhlali Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team
\n14:00 – Glenwood Prep vs Harare Lions<\/p>\n

Saturday, 19 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Kloof Senior Primary vs Winston Park Primary
\n09:00 – Chelsea Prep vs Harare Lions
\n10:00 – Westville Senior Primary vs Hillcrest Primary
\n11:00 – Glenwood Prep vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
\n13:00 – Highbury Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team
\n14:00 – Penzance Primary vs Umhlali Prep<\/p>\n

Monday, 21 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00 – Hillcrest Primary vs Winston Park Primary
\n09:00 – Kloof Senior Primary vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
\n10:00 – Glenwood Prep vs Westville Senior Prep
\n12:00 – Highburg Prep vs Umhlali Prep
\n13:00 – Penzance Primary vs Harare Lions
\n14:00 – Chelsea Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2025 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) will play host to a record 28 teams. The 16th edition of the popular event includes 12 high school boys’ teams, 12 primary school teams, and, in a first, four high school girls’ teams. On Tuesday, the lineup for the boys’ high school competition was revealed at the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":65036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=65033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65033\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/65036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}