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Now in its seventh year, the 2014 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is certain to attract capacity crowds following the announcement that the event has again attracted many of SA’s top rugby-playing schools.

All 12 participating schools are renowned for their rugby pedigree and were widely regarded as being amongst the top teams in the country at the end of last season.Their participation reinforces the prestigious status of the Kearsney College festival. Logo – KERF 2014

Speaking at this week’s (Tues 11) launch of the 2014 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg said the festival had grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2008.

This year participating teams are Grey College (Bloemfontein), Affies (Pretoria), Monument (Krugersdorp), EG Jansen (Boksburg), HTS Middelburg (Middelburg), Framesby High (Port Elizabeth), Nico Malan (Humansdorp), Selborne College (East London), Dale College (King William’s Town), with Glenwood, Westville and Kearsney College from host province KZN.

Six fixtures will be held on each of the three play daysand the festival is sure to provide exciting, highly entertaining play.

The Sharks CEO John Smit said they were proud of their association with the festival which, since its inception, has been “a phenomenal success” and attracted the top rugby-playing schools from around the country.

“This event gives youngsters an ideal platform to display their talent and ability; and, who knows, they could be scouted to play at a higher level,” he said.

Talent scouts from The Sharks and Sharks Academy would be watching during the three play days, scheduled over the Easter weekend for Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Monday 21 April. Some of SA’s finest rugby talent will be on display at Kearsney over the festival and the event provides opportunities for youngsters to be noticed and advance their rugby careers at provincial and national level.

Etienne Fynn, CEO of the Sharks Academy, said the partnership between the Academy and Kearsney’s prestigious festival continued to be one of mutual growth and success. Well over 100 players identified at Kearsney festivals since 2008 hadjoined the Sharks family; and the calibre of both individual and team play throughout the years had brought great pleasure to all observers, he said.

The Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2015 to three selected players. Backed by The Sharks, arguably the most professional rugby union in SA, the bursaries will include a contract with the Sharks Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its reputable education partners.

Van den Aardweg acknowledged the festival sponsors, whose valued supporthas enabled the festival to grow remarkably over the years. Standard Bank, which last year became headline sponsor in a four-year agreement, were thanked for their incredible support. The Sharks and Sharks Academy have supported the Kearsney festival since its inception, whilst Illovo Sugar South Africa Limited remained a valued sponsor, together with Nashua Durban and several other partners and companies, he said.

Darrell de Wet, marketing and communications manager at Illovo Sugar, said the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival had proved not only to be a forum for rugby, but also to be an environment for learners to explore possible future career paths.

“Illovo Sugar’s support and involvement in the festival is testament to its belief that investing in the youth of South Africa, to develop leadership, discipline and talent, is fundamental to building a better future for the country,” he said.

Nashua Durban managing director Martin Pretorius said an event of this magnitude enabled youngsters from across SA to showcase their skills, allowed them to play in front of large crowds and experience a wonderful festival atmosphere.“We are proud to be part of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival culture and will strive to keep supporting this prestigious sporting event,” he said.

Festival director Taff Green said he was delighted to welcome back Selborne College, who has played in every one of the Kearsney festivals since inception. EG Jansen has played in six Kearsney festivals and Grey College, Glenwood and Dale College have each participated in five.

A match between three primary school teams and the KZN u13 Provincial Development team, invited to showcase their skills and to enjoy the opportunity of playing in front of large crowds, will kick off each day’s action.

Die rugbyspan van Marlow Landbou gaan in 2014 weer vele kilometers afle om sy staal te toon. Die span van Cradock speel slegs vyf van sy 17 wedstryde op sy tuisveld vanjaar.

Die Wolramme skop sy seisoen teen Hoerskool Noord-Kaap in Kimberley op 8 Maart af. Die span sal daarna teen Hoerskool Oudtshoorn op sy tuiveld op 15 Maart te staan kom. Die span sal daarna eers weer voor sy tuisskare op 10 Mei uitdraf wanneer hy teen Jim Fouche van Bloemfontein in die twee spanne se jaarlikse interskole te staan kom. 

Marlow Landbou kom op die King Edward VII se Paas-toernooi teen Eldoraigne, Rondebosch Boys’ High en Menlopark te staan. Die span sal ook op Grey Boys’ High School se fees in Port Elizabeth in aksie wees. Hier sal hy sake teen Westville Boys’ High en Windhoek Gimnasium sake uitspook. 

Marlow Landbou se jaarlikse kragmetings teen Diamantveld van Kimberley en Landboudal van Jacobsdal het in die slag gebly. Die span sal vir sy ENB Classic Clash na Riversdal toer om Oakdale Landbou te pak. Die span se ander groot derby is teen Die Brandwag van Uitenhage. 

The fixtures: 

Seven out of the 12 Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools on the 2013 calendar made it onto the program for the 2014 season. The biggest interscools in South Africa between Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys’ High is not surprisingly one of the seven derbies who made the cut. All 12 of the Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools’ matches will be broadcasted live on SuperSport. 

The first fixture on the list is between Grey Boys’ High School from Port Elizabeth and Paul Roos Gimnasium from Stellenbosch. This clash is one of the newcomers on the list and will be hosted in the Windy City this year. Paul Roos Gimnasium has three Premier Interschools for the year. Their encounters with Grey PE, Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys’ High will be broadcasted live. Paarl Boys’ High is the only other team with three Premier Interschools as their games against Grey College, Paul Roos Gimnasium and Paarl Gimnasium will be on SuperSport. 

Paarl Gimnasium, King Edward VII, Grey College and Affies all have two matches on the program. The clash between Boland Landbou and Oakdale Landbou is also one of South Africa’s top derbies making the list for 2014. Grey College’s matches against Grey Boys’ High School and Paul Roos Gimnasium was on the list last year, but did not make the list for 2014. The match between them and Maritzburg College will however be broadcasted live this year. This will be the first time since 2008 when the team from the City of Roses came out on top 72-7. 

The match between Grey College and Paul Roos Gimnasium is on the FNB Classic Clashes fixture list. Hopefully the organisers of the FNB Classic Clashes decide to broadcast this match live on SuperSport. One of the oldest rivalries North of the Vaalriver the one between Affies and Pretoria Boys’ High is another newcomer on the Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools for 2014. 

The fixtures: