The highly successful Pretoria Boys’ High 125th Birthday Easter Rugby Festival of 2026 almost feels as though it is going to take a 55km trip south to Houghton in 2027, where King Edward VII School will celebrate its own 125th birthday.
And if the current line-up takes shape, KES could acquire no fewer than seven of the schools that graced Brooks Field over Easter this year.
The big prizes are undoubtedly the return of Jeppe and Pretoria Boys’ High.
Jeppe Boys’ are not only KES’s biggest local rivals; they also bring with them one of the most vocal support bases in schoolboy rugby. Along with the KES faithful they would undoubtedly crank up the atmosphere at Reds Field to unmatchable levels.
Boys’ High, meanwhile, are both dear friends and long-standing rivals. They too travel in numbers and bring plenty of passion, not to mention their star is on the rise again.
There is also an exciting local prospect in Parktown, who could arrive with a host of returning 1st XV starters determined to make up some lost ground in terms of performance level.
Then there is the national flavour.
Hats off to newish Maritzburg College headmaster Alan Redfern for moving swiftly to re-establish a rugby relationship with KES after the two schools brought their annual derby to an end in 2024. It opens the door for the famous Red, Black and White to run out on Reds Field once again.
They would be joined by their vastly improved fellow KZN school and KES Festival regular, Northwood.
From the Eastern Cape, Selborne College of East London — or KuGompo City, as it is now officially known — looks set to fly the Border flag alongside familiar Border rivals Dale College and Queen’s College, while continuing its quest for improvement under a new rugby structure.
Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha and the wider Eastern Province will be represented by co-educational Pearson.
And then, last but certainly not least, come SACS and Rondebosch from the Western Cape.
A talented SACS are expected to have something to prove on the field in 2027. Rondebosch, meanwhile, will be chomping at the bit for a rematch with KES after the Reds edged them 20–17 in 2025.
They will want to set that record straight if given the chance.
In the wake of the Noord-Suid tournament (starts the weekend before Easter in 2027), life has not been particularly easy for Easter festivals seeking to attract the very best rugby schools. Yet that has done little to keep the crowds away.
And this is where KES may have struck gold.
With this collection of schools, and despite St John’s hosting its landmark 30th festival just up the road, KES looks increasingly well placed to become the numero uno Easter Festival of 2027.
A 125th birthday deserves a celebration to match.
If this line-up comes together, KES may just have the perfect recipe: old rivalries, national representation, unfinished business — and a Reds Field packed to the rafters.
It could be one hell of a birthday party.
…technically, if you follow the elevation of the land, St John’s would be ‘down the road’ (the fields anyway).
Other Pretoria BH 125th Fest Schools
Grey High -> St Stithians (huge boost for Saints who are also looking good to keep Wynberg there)
Michaelhouse -> St John’s for the 30th Fest celebration
Affies unconfirmed.