Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival : Preview

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The prestigious Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival kicks off this Thursday (2nd) with 12 top South African rugby-playing schools participating.

Locals will be particularly keen to see how three of the top ranked KZN schools – hosts Kearsney, Glenwood and Westville – fare against some of the country’s best.

This is the 8th annual festival hosted by Kearsney and it is now recognised as one of the foremost Easter rugby festivals in the country, with seven of the schools present ranked in the top 20 at the end of 2014. Once again it is expected to offer spectators thrilling match-ups and exciting running rugby that makes this style of the game so popular.

The oldest school in South Africa, SACS from Cape Town, will be in their 152nd year of rugby and will bring the Western Cape flavour, with their first visit to the festival. Although the lowest ranked of the participating schools, they could surprise. The top-ranked side from 2014, Grey College from Bloemfontein, will be a big draw-card as they are always a side that is difficult to beat, due to their skilful running and powerful forward play. They have a particularly heavy pack this year.

Affies and Menlo Park, the latter making their first appearance at the festival, both travel from Pretoria. Although Affies did not make the top 20 last year, they will be a force in the coming months with a very good under 16 side in 2014, five of whom played at the U16 Grant Khomo Week, another two represented the Blue Bulls at Craven Week and one player at the Academy Week.

Three Eastern Cape schools -Selborne from East London, Framesby from Port Elizabeth and Dale from King Williams Town – bring three different styles of rugby, adding to the enjoyment of the week. Selborne has five players in their pack all over 100kgs and this will assist them to give a good supply of ball to their backline. Framesby, a never-say-die side, will play to the last whistle and, with a lighter pack, will likely spread the ball. Dale, with their dynamic back line, can never be discounted and with a heavy front row this year which is likely to get more ball, dynamite could be in the offing.

EG Jansen is a hard, uncompromising XV from the East Rand and sides coming up against them will know they have been in a tough game. They have four players from last year’s Craven Week, including their captain and lock, who is 2.01m and weighs 108kgs. While HTS Middelburg from Mpumalanga may not appear to have as much talent as last year, they will also be a tough side to play against.

Kearsney open the festival playing their first match against Selborne and, although the hosts lost against Noordkaaplast Saturday, they have had two good wins locally against Glenwood and Hilton. This should give themplenty of confidence against the tough Border side.

When last did Glenwood lose their first two matches against KZN teams as they have done this year? This will make them determined in their first match against Framesby. Westville will attempt to bounce back after losing to Maritzburg College on Saturday and their match against Menlo Park on Thursday could be a humdinger.

Talent scouts will be present over the duration of the three days, looking for players with flair and ability. The Sharks Academy, as they have done each year, will award bursaries to the value of R100 000 each to three players.

A new aspect this year is outreach initiative ‘Boots & Balls’ which, in conjunction with the KZNRU Development Programme, will equip players from less privileged backgrounds with rugby kit and equipment. Those going to the festival are asked to take new or good-condition second-hand rugby kit and leave them in collection bins adjacent to the main field. All sizes of rugby shorts and jerseys, socks, boots, rugby balls, kit bags and any equipment would be appreciated and contributions will be handed over during the closing ceremony after the final game.

The support by major sponsors Standard Bank, The Sharks Academy, Illovo Sugar and Nashua once again serves to endorse the prestigious status of the festival.

Play days are Thursday 2, Saturday 4 and Monday 6 April, with kick-off at 9.30am each day. A primary schools fixture between Umhlali Prep, Pelham Senior Primary and Highbury against the KZNRU u13 Ibutho Development team will take place at 8.30 each day.

Gate entrance is R50 per vehicle or R20 for pedestrians, which includes a programme with statistics and pen pictures of all the players. Ample secure parking will be available; as well as food and refreshment outlets for those wanting to enjoy a day of entertaining rugby.

For further information go to www.kearsney.com
FIXTURES:
Thursday 2 April: 09:30 Kearsney vs Selborne; 10:45 Dale vs SACS; 12:00 Westville vs Menlopark; 13:15 Affies vs EG Jansen; 14:30 Glenwood vs Framesby; 15:45 Grey College vs HTS Middelburg

Saturday 4 April: 09:30 Selborne vs Menlopark; 10:45 Westville vs Dale; 12:00 Kearsney vs Grey College; 13:15 Affies vs SACS; 14:30 Glenwood vs HTS Middelburg; 15:45 EG Jansen vs Framesby

Monday 6 April: 09:30 Westville vs SACS; 10:45 Affies vs Framesby; 12:00 Selborne vs HTS Middelburg; 13:15 Glenwood vs Menlopark; 14:30 Grey College vs EG Jansen; 15:45 Kearsney vs Dale.

EIGHTH KEARSNEY EASTER RUGBY FESTIVAL LAUNCHED

The participation of many of South Africa’s top ranked rugby-playing schools at the eighth Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival serves to highlight its prestigious status amongst players, coaches and supporters.
This year’s festival has attracted powerhouse teams from Grey College in Bloemfontein, Affies and Menlo Park from Pretoria, EG Jansen from Boksburg, HTS Middelburg from Mpumalanga; as well as Selborne, Dale College and Framesby from the Eastern Cape; SACS from Cape Town; with Glenwood, Westville Boys’ High and hosts Kearsney College from KwaZulu-Natal.
In endorsing the festival, John Smit, CEO of The Sharks and former Springbok coach, said schoolboy rugby plays an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s rugby culture.
“Rugby at schools is a place where the values of sportsmanship, team work, hard work, perseverance, respect and honour can be taught and embraced,” he said.
Some of the country’s finest rugby talent will be on display at the festival, and the event provides opportunities for players to be noticed and advance their rugby careers at provincial and national level, Smit said.
Talent scouts and selectors from The Sharks and Sharks Academy will again watch all three play days over the Easter weekend: Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Monday 6th April.
The Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2016 to three selected players. Backed by The Sharks, the bursaries will include a contract with The Sharks Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its reputable education partners. Each bursary is valued at R100 000. The recipients will be announced immediately after the final game of the festival.
The participation yet again of teams renowned for their rugby pedigree reinforces the prestigious status of this festival, said Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg.
Speaking at the launch of the 2015 festival, Van den Aardweg noted that the Kearsney festival had grown significantly since its inception in 2008 and was certain to again attract capacity crowds this year. They were excited to be welcoming Menlo Park and SACS for the first time, he said.
Three primary school teams – from Highbury, Pelham and Umhlali Preparatory – have also been invited to showcase their skills against the KZNRU Ibutho / Mark Godefroy u13 team. Kicking off play each day, this fixture offers youngsters the opportunity of playing in front of large crowds and experiencing the festival atmosphere. This will be followed by six premier high school fixtures on each of the three play days.
Van den Aardweg acknowledged the festival sponsors, whose support has assisted the event to grow over the years. Headline sponsor Standard Bank were thanked for their invaluable support; together with The Sharks, Sharks Academy and KZN Rugby Union which have been involved in the Kearsney festival since its inception. Illovo Sugar South Africa Limited remained a valued sponsor, together with Nashua and several other partners and companies, he said.
Funeka Montjane, Standard Bank’s chief executive for personal and business banking in South Africa, said: “Through our sponsorship we hope to build on and maintain valuable relationships within our community, and have a meaningful impact among its members by championing the concept of health and friendship through sport”.
Darrell de Wet, marketing and communications manager at Illovo Sugar, said the company encouraged a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
“Sport plays an invaluable role in developing leadership, discipline and talent; in bringing together people from different geographical areas and backgrounds; and in encouraging fitness and wellbeing. Illovo Sugar’s support and involvement in the festival aligns us with this belief in the importance of a healthy lifestyle and in building a better future for the country,” De Wet said.
Martin Pretorius, managing director of Nashua Durban, said the company was proud to be associated with the festival for the fourth successive year.
“As sponsors, you understand that sports play a major social, political and economic significance in our contemporary society. If it wasn’t for the highly dedicated Kearsney team, together with the sponsors, this premier event would not be possible.”
Festival director Taff Green announced that a new outreach initiative was being introduced. “This year we are excited to introduce an outreach aspect at the festival, together with the KZNRU Development Programme, to help equip players from less privileged backgrounds with kit and equipment.
“We invite the public and festival rugby players to TOUCH, PAUSE & ENGAGE with RUGBY DEVELOPMENT by bringing new or good condition second-hand rugby kit and to leave it in designated collection bins next to the main field. By this simple gesture, people can make a meaningful and effective contribution to rugby development,” Green said.
All sizes of rugby shorts and jerseys, socks, boots, rugby balls, kit bags and any equipment would be appreciated. Contributions will be handed over during the closing ceremony after the final game.
Numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent will ensure spectators can fully enjoy the special family atmosphere. No alcohol will be permitted to be brought on to the campus. Entry is R20 for pedestrians and R50 per vehicle with ample parking available. Entry includes a glossy festival brochure providing team information and player statistics.
Festival information are available on www.kearsney.com