Pictured at the launch of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival are (from left) Kuben Chetty, head of Standard Bank commercial banking in KZN; Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg; and Sharks coaches JP Pietersen and Etienne Fynn — a Kearsney old boy. Tracey van den Aardweg
The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) will be back next month with 12 top rugby schools after a two-year absence caused by Covid-19.
In addition to the institution in Botha’s Hill being thrilled to welcome back supporters of schoolboy rugby on the Easter weekend from April 14, the festival will showcase four teams from Gauteng, four from KwaZulu-Natal, three from Eastern Cape and one from Northern Cape.
Glenwood High School, Westville Boys’ High, Durban High School (DHS) and Kearsney College will represent KZN. The Gauteng contingent comprises Hoërskool Monument (Monnas) from Krugersdorp, Pretoria Boys High, Hoërskool Waterkloof (Pretoria) and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg).
Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley will be returning to the festival, while the Eastern Cape group features Selborne College (East London), Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and newcomers Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock).
Talent scouts
Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg says the festival has grown significantly since its inception in 2008 and has played an “invaluable role” in the development of schoolboy rugby culture and growth.
He acknowledged the festival sponsors who have helped to grow it, notably Standard Bank and the KZN Rugby Union/Sharks. Talent scouts and selectors from the Sharks and Sharks Academy will watch all three play days — on April 14, 16 and 18 — and the Sharks Academy will again offer bursaries to selected players. A few primary school teams will open each day’s play.
For supporters, the Kearsney campus will be used to provide a “KidZone” for the little ones, ample parking, as well as numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent.
The festival will also be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app.