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The Junior Springboks will have a solid build-up to the World Rugby U20 Championship – in the south of France from 30 May to 17 June – with four training camps and a UK tour planned to ensure that they are well prepared for the international spectacle.

The team’s preparations will kick off from Tuesday to Friday with the first of three four-day training camps in Stellenbosch – the last of which will conclude on 30 March – followed by a two-week camp in April and a UK tour in May. They will play five internationals in the lead-up to the tournament.

The first two matches will be against World Rugby U20 Championship pool opponents Georgia in Cape Town on back-to-back Fridays, 13 and 20 April respectively, while they will meet Scotland in Edinburgh on Friday, 4 May, Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday, 8 May, and England in London on Friday 11 May on their overseas tour

“This preparation schedule is ideal to ensure that we arrive in France well prepared both mentally and physically for the U20 Championship,” said Roux.

“By having four-day camps in February and March we will also avoid a situation where the FNB Varsity Cup players miss a few days of training due to their team commitments.

“We faced Georgia in Tbilisi in the pool stages of the U20 Championship last year and they have again been drawn in our pool this season, so the two encounters against them will be good preparation for both sides. They are physical and determined opponents, and these matches will give the players a good idea of what to expect in France.

“The UK tour will be equally important as the training schedule, the frequency of the matches and the tough competition on tour will be similar to that which the players will experience in France, especially with all three opposition teams also participating in the tournament.”

The training squad includes five capped Junior Springboks – Salmaan Moerat, Gianni Lombard, Wandisile Simelane, Rewan Kruger and Muller Uys – and 22 former SA Schools players, including prop Keagan Glade, centre Rikus Pretorius and lock JJ van der Mescht.

Another member of the 2017 U20 Championship squad, Damian Willemse, was also invited to the camp, but he is on tour with the DHL Stormers.

Roux said the door was open for players outside the group to play their way into the training squad: “We had to select a limited number of players for the first camp, so this group is by no means the only players we will be watching.

“We will continue to keep an eye on other players who perform well, so the group could change as our preparations continue.”

Junior Bok training squad for first camp (20-23 February):

Props: Cabous Eloff (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), Leon Lyons (DHL Western Province), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions), Sazi Sandi (DHL Western Province), Mornay Smith (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Alulutho Tshakweni (Eastern Province), Tiaan van der Merwe (Xerox Golden Lions).

Hookers: PJ Botha (Xerox Golden Lions), Schalk Erasmus (DHL Western Province), Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Luyolo Dapula (Eastern Province), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Western Province), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Western Province), PJ Steenkamp (Xerox Golden Lions), JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks), Ruan Vermaak (Xerox Golden Lions).

Loose forwards: Phendulani Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks), Francke Horn (DHL Western Province), Shaine Orderson (DHL Western Province), Ryno Pieterse (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Erwart Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), JC Pretorius (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Muller Uys (DHL Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Richman Gora (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Jack Hart (Xerox Golden Lions), Rewan Kruger (Toyota Free State).

Flyhalves: David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), Lubabalo Dobela (Toyota Free State), Johannes Steenkamp (Leopards).

Centres: Lyle Hendricks (DHL Western Province), Rikus Pretorius (DHL Western Province), Manuel Rass (Xerox Golden Lions), Wandisile Simelane (Xerox Golden Lions), Louritz van der Schyff (Xerox Golden Lions), Sango Xamlashe (Toyota Free State).

Outside backs: Christian Ambadiang (DHL Western Province), Muller du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Tyrone Green (Xerox Golden Lions), Gianni Lombard (Xerox Golden Lions), Sihle Njezula (DHL Western Province), Sakoyisa Makata (DHL Western Province), Christiaan Strydom (Blue Bulls).

Junior Springbok training camp dates:

Camp 1 – 20-23 February (Stellenbosch)
Camp 2 – 6-9 March (Stellenbosch)
Camp 3 – 27-30 March (Stellenbosch)
Camp 4 – 10-25 April (Stellenbosch)

UK Tour – 30 April to 12 May

U20 Champs holding camp – 20-25 May (Stellenbosch)
World Rugby U20 Championship – 30 May to 17 June (France)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

In ‘n naelbyt stryd het die eerste krieketspan van Hoërskool Ben Vorster sy buurman Hoërskool Merensky gister met 3 paaltjies geklop in beide spanne se laaste wedstryde in die Finsbury kompetisie.

Ben Vorster het die loot gewen en besluit om eerste veldwerk te doen.

Merensky was na 26 boulbeurte effens in die moeilikheid met hulle telling op 119 vir 5 , maar goeie kolfwerk deur Shahil Shaik (31 van 39 balle) , Mubin Patel (49 van 47 balle) en Kian Lochner-Clarke (23 van 56 balle) ,het Merensky instaat gestel om ‘n totaal van 219 (48.4 boulbeurte) op die telbord te sit.

Die Vossies se suksesvolste boulers was Fumani Maluleke (3/25 ) , Vernon Harms (2/22) ,Emile Kruger (2/38) en Artwell Mokgolobotse (2/52).

Ben Vorster was vroeg in die moeilikheid met hulle telling op 88 vir 4 , maar ‘n hardnekkige vennotskap van 71 lopies tussen Johan Harms (49 van 61 balle) en Artwell Molokgalabotse (24 van 31 balle) , het die Vossie trein weer op die spoor geplaas.

Merensky slaan egter vinnig terug met 2 paaltjies en met die telling op 164 vir 7 is die Vossies met die rug teen die muur.

“Commith the hour , commith the man” Jaco De La Ray skop egter vas en moker 47 lopies (2 sesse en 8 viere) van 32 balle in ‘n onoorwonne vennootskap van 55 lopies saam met Cobus Geldenhuys , om die wedstryd vir die Vossies te wen in die 47ste boulbeurt.

Merensky se suksesvolste boulers was Gerhardus Fourie (2/32) , Louis Botha (2/27) en Rinus Jacobs (1/30).

Beide spanne se boul-en veldwerk was met tye nie goed nie en sal hulle hard daaraan moet werk in die af-seisoen.Heelwat spelers van beide spanne sal baie moontlik egter later in die jaar in die Limpopo krieketspanne opgeneem word.

Plaaslike Derby’s haal die beste uit spelers uit en die intensiteit en mededinging is somtyds veel hoër as wanneer daar teen skole van buite Tzaneen gespeel word.Baie meer toeskouers woon ook hierdie wedstryde by en dit is betreurenswaardig dat hierdie twee Spogskole nie in alle sportsoorte teen mekaar meeding nie.

Beknopte telkaart:

Merensky 219 almal uit in 48.4 boulbeurte (Shahil Shaik 31, Mubin Patel 49, Kian Lochner-Clarke 23; Fumani Maluleke 3/25 , Vernon Harms 2/22, Emile Kruger 2/38, Artwell Mokgolobotse 2/52); Ben Vorster 221/7 in 46.1 boulbeurte (Johan Harm 49 , Jaco De La Ray 47*, Artwell Molokgalabotse 24; Gerhardus Fourie 2/32, Louis Botha 2/27, Rinus Jacobs 1/30). Ben Vorster wen met 3 paaltjies.

The 2018 school rugby season kicked off today with the annual Sarel Cilliers Rugby Day in Glencoe, Northern Natal. 

The hosts was suppose to play against HTS Carel de Wet from Vanderbijlpark in the main match of the day, but due to their withdrawal from the day the match was rescheduled to be against Springs Boys’ High. Antoher cancellation on Friday saw Sarel Cilliers and Greytown High meet each other for the second time in 2018. The two schools already met each other in a pre-season friendly with Sarel Cilliers coming out on top by 40-8. 

Sarel Cilliers was once again victorious today by beating Greytown by 43-3. Welkom Gimnasium would want to pick up their game before their next meeting against Kearsney College. Gimmies recorded a narrow 24-20 victory over Pionier of Vryheid thanks to a try from a rolling maul with no time left on the clock.  

If you want to add your scores through the season on our list on School of Rugby – please sent an e-mail to hannes@rugby.supersportschools.com with your fixtures and contact info. 

SAREL CILLIERS RUGBY DAY (GLENCOE)

Sarel Cilliers	43	Greytown High	3
Welkom Gimnasium	24	Pionier	20
Ferrum	24	Voortrekker (PMB)	5
Dundee	22	Ixopo	3
Newcastle	22	Linpark	0
Hoërskool Vryheid	33	King Edward (Kokstad)	8
Vryheid Landbou	36	KZN Development XV	5
Pongola Academy	27	Welkom Gimnasium II	26
Barbarians XV	31	Amajuba	7

OTHER

Sarel Cilliers (Glencoe)

40

Greytown High

8

 

The first XV of Sarel Cilliers in Glencoe will play against HTS Carel de Wet of Vanderbijlpark in the main match of their annual rugby day. The match will kick-off at 17:20. 

This will be Sarel Cilliers second match of the season. They’ve comfortably beaten Greytown High by 40-8 in their season opener. Greytown will also be in action in Glencoe facing Newcastle. 

Welkom Gimnasium will kick-off their season at the rugby day with a clash against Pionier of Vryheid. Pionier will use this game in preparation for the NWU-Pukke 16 Series that kicks off early in March.

Ferrum of Newcastle also plays in the NWU-Pukke 16 Series and they will get their season underway against Voortrekker of Pietermaritzburg.  

The fixtures: 

08:00 – Eshowe vs Amajuba
09:10 – Pongola Academy vs Welkom Gimnasium II
10:20 – Vryheid Landbou vs KwaZulu-Natal Development XV
11:30 – Vryheid vs King Edward VII
12:40 – Newcastle vs Greytown
13:50 – Dundee vs Ixopo
15:00 – Voortrekker (Pietermaritzburg) vs Ferrum
16:10 – Welkom Gimnasium vs Pionier
17:20 – Sarel Cilliers (Glencoe) vs HTS Carel de Wet 

The Franchise Finals leg of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge kicked off in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, and saw KZN Inland champions, Hilton College, defeat Coastal representatives, Clifton College in a thrilling 62-run win.

Thrilled with his team performance, Hilton College captain, James Ritchie said, “We did well today to post a large total that made it difficult for the opposing team to chase down. This is a big win for our school as we haven’t won the Dolphins final since 2015. We’re improving game by game and we need to continue to build from that if we want to win at the national finals.”

As part of the new development in the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge, tournament ambassador, Temba Bavuma, and a team of cricket experts selected Matthew Montgomery and Simon Holmes from Clifton College to play in the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team in a curtain-raiser match against a CSA Development Hub team, during the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge National Finals.

“Today was a very enjoyable game of cricket. Hilton College played an incredible game and deserved to win the match. Today we selected Simon and Mathew from Clifton for the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team. Simon was brilliant with the ball and took four of the five wickets for his team, stopping Hilton from scoring 180.

“The Clifton College captain, Matthew Montgomery, batted well and with all the wickets that were falling around him, was the rock of the team. If another batsman stayed with him the game could have been a lot different.”

“It’s a great privilege to be chosen by such a high-profile player to play for his team in the All-Star Team at the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge Final,” said Matthew Montgomery.

The Clifton College pair will be joined by ten players to be selected from the remaining five Coca-Cola Schools T20 Franchise Finals.

Simon Holmes concluded, “It’s amazing for a Proteas Test player to identify my talent and pick me to play in the All-Star team. I’m grateful and excited to join the other guys in Pretoria next month for the national finals.”

The Junior Springboks will kick off the World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against Georgia in the southern French city of Perpignan on Wednesday, 30 May.

The encounter, which will be hosted at Stade Aimé Giral at 18h30 (SA time), is the opening match of the tournament, World Rugby announced on Wednesday.

Chean Roux’s team, who have been drawn in Pool C, will play their two remaining pool matches against Ireland on Sunday, 3 June, and hosts France on Thursday, 7 June, at the Stade d’Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié in Narbonne at 16h30 and 21h00 (SA time) respectively.

The two semi-finals will be hosted on Tuesday, 12 June, in Narbonne and Perpignan respectively, while all 12 participating teams will be in action in Beziers on Sunday, 17 June, for the final day of matches, which will conclude with the Final, at Stade de la Méditerranée.

Defending champions, New Zealand, who have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, Wales and Japan, will meet Japan in their opening match in Narbonne, while 2017 runners-up, England, who take on Scotland, Italy and Argentina in Pool B, will meet Argentina in their opening match.

The Junior Springboks will kick off their preparations for the international spectacle next week with a four-day training camp in Stellenbosch from Tuesday to Friday next week, with a group of 41 players.

“The announcement of the match venues as we prepare to kick off our preparations is great news and it has boosted our excitement for the tournament,” said Roux.

“These towns are renowned for their deep passion for rugby, so it is going to be a special experience for us all.”

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The scene is set for a superb World Rugby U20 Championship in France. We have three excellent host cities, great venues and a compelling match schedule.

“It will be fascinating to see who will join the likes of Sam Warburton, Nemani Nadolo, Sam Whitelock, David Pocock and Yoann Maestri in graduating from the tournament to become Test stars.”

Junior Springbok fixtures at the World Rugby U20 Championship (SA kick-off times, all TBC by World Rugby):

SA v Georgia – Wednesday 30 May, 18h30
SA v Ireland – Sunday, 3 June, 16h30
SA v France – Thursday, 7 June, 21h00

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Kan Parel Vallei se eerstespan vanjaar weer skoonskip in die Westelike Provinsie se A1-liga maak?

Die Bulldogs van Parel Vallei het verlede jaar gewys da thy nie sy gelyke in die A1-liga het nie. Die span mik in 2018 daarna om weer as die voorste span in die liga af te sluit asook om ‘n paar Premier B-liga spanne die skrik op die lyf te jaag. 

Die WP Rugbyunie het boonop vir die skool vier bepalings teen skole uit die Premierliga B-afdeling gegee om homself teen te meet. Parel Vallei het in 2017 sy man teen twee skole in die liga, DF Malan (11-18) en die Hoërskool Strand (0-19), gestaan.

Vanjaar sal hulle teen Stellenberg, Brackenfell, Hoërskool Bellville en Monumentpark van die Premierliga B te staan kom. Parel Vallei het nou twee jaar in ‘n ry aansoek gedoen om in die afdeling te speel. WP Rugby sal na 2018 ‘n goeie idee hê of die Bulldogs saam met die groter honde kan blaf.

Die span kom ook teen HTS Bellville in ‘n vriendskaplike interskole met tien spanne te staan. “Stellies en Brakkies sal definitief harde neute wees om te kraak, maar is ons gereed op die uitdagings wat op ons wag. Buiten Stellenberg het ons junior spanne al sukses teen al die ander skole Monumentpark, Hoërskool Bellville, Worcester Gimnasium en Strand behaal.” het Thinus Pienaar, hoof van rugby by Parel Vallei, gesê.

Daar bestaan geen twyfel dat rugby by Parel Vallei teen ‘n stewige pas groei nie. Die skool sal vanjaar vir die eerste keer in sy gekiedenis vyf rugbyspanne op toer stuur.

In 2014 het slegs een span op toer gegaan. Die trots van die skool sal vanjaar vir die eerste keer aan die Arthur Johnson-week in Mosselbaai deelneem. Dit word deur die Hoërskool Punt aangebied. Die o.16A- en o.19B-spanne sal ook op die Arthur Johnson-week in aksie wees.

Die o.14A- en o.15A-spanne sal vir die vierde agtereenvolgende jaar aan die Kwagga-week deelneem, wat deur Hoërskool Outeniqua in George aangebied word.

“Ons jaarlikse trans-provinsiale derby teen Pearson gaan sekerlik die hardste wees, maar na laasjaar sien almal uit na weerwraak by Camp Bulldog,” het Pienaar gesê.

Parrel Vallei het verlede jaar weg van die huis met 10-29 teen Pearson die knie gebuig.

Daar is slegs vyf spelers wat in 2017 vir die Bulldogs uitgedraf het, wat vanjaar weer verkiesbaar vir die span is. Hulle is Tauriq Karaan (vaskopstut), Minaw Gesha (flank/agsteman), Julio Gous (senter), Gian de Beer (heelagter) en Trichardt Meij (losvoorspeler).

Die Westelike Provinsie se Grant Khomo-week breier Angelo Fritz sal saam met Pienaar die span afrig. Fritz is die span se hoofafrigter, terwyl Pienaar ook die skool se rugbyorganiseerder is. Die span se hoofafrigter van die afgelope drie jaar, Stefan Kruger, het na Paul Roos Gimnasium geskuif.

Parel Vallei het vanjaar ‘n talentvolle Graad 11 groep van meer as 40 spelers om vanuit te kies.

Parel Vallei se o.14-span word deur Jonathanm Schenk en Dean Williams gebrei. Williams is die Streeptruie se o.13-afrigter, terwyl Schenk vir Maties en die Vics op stut uitgedraf het. Pienaar en die WP-legende oom Piet Faasen is ook as spesialis-afrigters by die span betrokke.

 

Die Hoërskool Noordheuwel se eerste rugbyspan sal nie vanjaar ‘n span wees wat ligtelik opgeneem kan word nie. Die Nories het nie minder as 16 spelers in sy geledere wat reeds verlede jaar deur van die groep vir die eerstespan uitgemaak het. 

Dit sou 17 spelers gewees het, maar Ruan Fourie het intussen na Australië geimmigreer. Die 16 ervare spelers is – AJ Venter, Armand Dreyer (albei stutte), Ruan Vosloo, Jason Buckingham (albei hakers), Conrad van Dyk, Jaco vd Westhuizen (albei slotte), Rudi Brink, Shandre Coetzer, Ruan Engelbrecht (almal losvoorspelers), Justin Lambert (skrumskakel), Renier Stander (losskakel), Divan van Tonder, Wian van Heerden, Dean Bentley (almal senters), Camron Janse van Vuuren, Davan du Plessis en Trompie Loots (almal vleuels).

Die skrumskakel, Justin Lambert, het verlede jaar die Goue Leeus op die Coca-Cola Akademie-week in Johannesburg verteenwoordig. Hy sal indien hy op verlede jaar se vertonings voortbou ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker wees om vanjaar die Leeus op die Cravenweek in die Paarl te verteenwoordig. 

Noordheuwel – 2018
6 Maart	vs Goudveld	Loftus Prestige
10 Maart	vs Die Anker	Puk Prestige
14 Maart	vs Pretoria Boys’ High	Vriendskaplik
17 Maart	Wesvalia	Puk Prestige
24 Maart	Potch Volkies	Puk Prestige
29 Maart	vs TBC	KES Easter Festival
31 Maart	vs TBC	KES Easter Festival
2 April	vs TBC	KES Easter Festival
14 April	Puk Prestige Kwarteindrondes	Potch Volkies
21 April	Puk Prestige Halfeindrondes	Driehoek
5 Mei	Puk Prestige Eindronde	Potchefstroom
12 Mei	vs Affies	Vriendskaplik
19 Mei	vs Marais Viljoen	Virsekerbeker
26 Mei	vs Waterkloof	Vriendskaplik
2 Junie	vs Eldoraigne	Virsekerbeker
9 Junie	vs Kempton Park	Virsekerbeker
16 Junie	vs Rustenburg	Virsekerbeker
21 Julie	vs Centurion	Virsekerbeker
28 Julie	vs Zwartkop	Virsekerbeker
4 Augustus	vs Montana	Virsekerbeker

Noordheuwel skop sy seisoen tydens die Loftus Prestige-aand in Pretoria teen Goudveld-Hoërskool van Welkom af. Geen stelskoppe word waargeneem in hierdie wedstryde tydens die dag nie. Die span neem ook vanjaar aan die King Edward VII Paastoernooi in Johannesburg deel. 

“Met die nuwe indeling van die Virsekerbeker sien ons uit na elke wedstryd, maar dit is vir ons lekker om volle bepalings teen Waterkloof en Pretoria Boys’ High ook te he. Ons speel vanjaar ook vir die eerste keer ‘n volledige bepaling teen die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria.”

“Dit is vir ons ‘n ongelooflike voorreg om bande met Affies te bou en hulle gaan vir seker ons sterkste teenstanders wees, maar ons sien baie uit na die dag,” het Rocky Truter, afrigter van Noordheuwel se eerstespan gese. 

Dat Nories hul rugby ernstig opneem word onderstreep deur die feit dat die skool se jujniors o.14 (Kwagga-week), o.15 (HJS Paarl) en o.16 (Paarl Gimnasium) die onderskeie ouderdomsgroepe se voorste toernooie bywoon. 

“Ons doelwitte vir 2018 is om 15 spanne in die veld te stoot. Ons wil ook vanjaar die Pukke Prestige-reeks se rugby-afdeling vir die vierde agtereenvolgende jaar wen. Om al ons A-spanne in die uitspeelrondes van die Virsekerbeker is ‘n doelwit waarheen ons ook werk,” het Truter gese. 

Truter en WP Laidlaw rig vanjaar Nories se trots af. Die span word deur Hogan Engelbrecht gekondisioneer. 

Participating schools at the 2018 Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival highlight its prestigious status amongst players, coaches and supporters of schoolboy rugby.

At yesterday’s (Wednesday) launch of the 11th festival the strong line-up of participating South African school teams, renowned for their rugby pedigrees, was announced.

Three local KwaZulu-Natal teams will participate this year: Glenwood High School, Durban High School and hosts Kearsney College. They will join HTS Middelburg, Welkom Gimnasium, Pretoria Boys High and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap (Kimberley); the Eastern Cape’s Dale College (King William’s Town), Queen’s College (Queenstown), Selborne College (East London) and Hoërskool Framesby (Port Elizabeth); together with HTS Drostdy from Worcester.

The festival takes place over three play days: Thursday 29th March, Saturday 31st and Monday 2nd April. It promises exciting running rugby, set in a family environment on the Kearsney College campus at Botha’s Hill, between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Many gifted players have been discovered by talent scouts at previous Kearsney rugby festivals and they have now progressed to playing for the Springboks, SA Sevens, Sharks and other provincial teams.

Etienne Fynn, head of the Sharks Academy, said the festival played an important role in exposing the quality of available young talent from around the country.

“The Sharks Academy is proud to be associated with the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. The length of our involvement is testament to its on-going high standards and continued focus on the camaraderie and ethos of the game. Only at these festivals is the weekly grind of school derbies removed, and players can be allowed the freedom to play the game without that very obvious pressure,” he said.

“We have had many players come through the festival and go onto play at the highest levels of the game. Once again, we will be offering three bursaries for 2019 which we hope will serve as motivation for these young men to play to the best of their abilities at the festival.”

Fynn said that talent scouts from The Sharks and Sharks Academy would be on the lookout during the three play days of exciting fast-paced action.

Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg said he was delighted to again announce Standard Bank as the festival’s headline sponsor. The bank had partnered with Kearsney in a multi-year deal which was testimony to the stature and prestige of the festival.

“Standard Bank’s involvement adds tremendous value to the festival and, together with continued support from the Sharks Academy, Halfway Ford and Hendok, will ensure that the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival continues to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.”

He said the event had emerged as a highlight on the sporting calendars of lovers of top-class schoolboy rugby.

“Thousands of supporters from KZN and further afield flock to Kearsney’s beautiful campus over the Easter weekend to savour the spectacle of running rugby, to enjoy the special family atmosphere on our beautiful campus and to experience the fun and excitement of the festival,” he said.

Simphiwe Khoza, KZN head of retail banking at Standard Bank, said they looked forward to seeing young sportsmen displaying the integral characteristics necessary to reach personal, group and career goals. These characteristics were the same as those Standard Bank strove to uphold, he said.

Festival organiser Mouton Bezuidenhout said he was delighted with the strength and quality of teams taking part this year, ensuring that the festival continued as an important event for supporters of top-class schoolboy rugby, whilst also providing the obvious benefits to the game in the province.

“We have another incredible line-up of talent participating at this year’s festival – and supporters will definitely not be disappointed. This is schoolboy rugby at its very best,” he said.

Kicking off play each day will be a match between primary school teams, invited to showcase their skills and to enjoy the opportunity of playing in front of large crowds. Participating sides are Highbury Preparatory, Hillcrest Senior Primary, Umhlali Prep and the u13 KZN Ibutho/Mark Godefroy development team.

Numerous food outlets, a refreshment tent and KidZone will ensure spectators can enjoy a fun-filled family-orientated Easter weekend. Entry is R25 per person with ample parking available.