A strong line-up of 12 schools renowned for their rugby pedigree will participate in the 10th edition of the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival next month.
This year’s line-up includes powerhouse teams Monument from Krugersdorp, Boksburg’s Dr EG Jansen, HTS Middelburg and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley, as well as the strong Eastern Cape schools Selborne College (East London), Dale College (King William’s Town), Queen’s College (Queenstown) and Hoërskool Framesby (Port Elizabeth), together with Glenwood High School and hosts Kearsney College from KZN. Newcomers to the festival are Pretoria Boys High and HTS Drostdy from Worcester in the Boland.
Sharks CEO Gary Teichmann said the strength, success and reputation of the festival was evident from the calibre of schools participating each year.
“The best schoolboy players compete against each other over a few days in a festival that attracts top coaches, scouts and fans from across the country,” he said.
Talent scouts from The Sharks and Sharks Academy will be on the lookout for gifted players during the three play days, scheduled over the Easter weekend for Thursday 13, Saturday 15 and Monday 17 April. Three bursaries, comprising a contract with The Sharks Academy and tuition bursary, will be awarded after the final match of the festival.
Whilst for many decades Easter rugby festivals were held in Gauteng at St John’s, St Stithians and KES, this festival at Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill has now become an important fixture on the calendars of supporters of outstanding schoolboy rugby. For the tenth year it will provide an exciting weekend of competitive, top class running rugby, bringing some of the country’s best rugby talent to the province.
Kicking off each day’s play will be a match between primary school teams from Highbury, Westville Senior Primary, Umhlali and the KZN Ibutho/Mark Godefroy u13 development team. The six senior 1st XV fixtures follow each day.
Speaking at the launch Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg said there was strong diversity of teams selected for this year’s festival, with schools representing the Eastern Cape, Boland, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
He said from the first festival 10 years ago, it had grown in support from sponsors, schools, spectators and the media and Kearsney was again gearing up for capacity crowds this year. For the first time live-streaming with professional commentary was being offered to supporters unable to make it to the festival, as well as giving players the opportunity to perform on a broader platform.
Van den Aardweg said a new co-sponsor, Halfway Ford, had come on board and would add dynamic flavour and energy to the event, together with on-going title sponsor Standard Bank and festival partners The Sharks, Sharks Academy and KZN Rugby Union.
Standard Bank’s Funeka Montjane said through the festival they hoped to have a meaningful impact by championing the concept of health and friendship through sport, as well as supporting leaders of the future.
Etienne Fynn, managing director of The Sharks Academy, said the Sharks and Sharks Academy continued to benefit from the festival through the number of players who chose to follow a possible path into the professional ranks through them.
Endorsing their sponsorship of the festival, Halfway Ford’s Ward Huxtable said they were excited to be a major sponsor of this dynamic festival for the first time. “We’re proud to be associated with an event linked to the development of South Africa’s youth; and believe it’s the perfect platform to showcase our quality products.”
Festival organiser Mouton Badenhorst said sporting events such as this called on discipline, commitment, innovation and leadership from players – the human qualities required to build a better future for all.
“The Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is an expression of youthful talent, which requires nurturing to produce tomorrow’s leaders. We hope that some of the country’s best young rugby players will enjoy the wonderful opportunity of testing their skills against the best in the game,” Badenhorst said.
The organisers have appealed to supporters to take new or good condition second-hand rugby kit and clothing to the festival, which can be left in designated collections bins on campus. Contributions to the ‘Boots and Balls’ outreach initiative, which was started two years ago, will be handed over to the KZN Rugby Union’s Development Programme during the closing ceremony. The items are sorted, repaired and distributed to development teams throughout the province.
Every effort is made to provide a family-friendly environment at the festival, offering entertainment for the very young to the seasoned enthusiast. There will be food outlets, a refreshment tent and fun KidZone for those wanting to enjoy a full day of entertaining rugby. Gate entrance is R20 per person and ample parking will be available.
See www.kearsney.com for fixtures and festival information.
The post A Decade of Thrilling Rugby appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
The Fidelity Security Moor Cup Week 1:
The Fidelity Security Moor Cup commenced on Saturday, 25th March with the annual Wahl Bartmann day hosted at Growthpoint KINGS PARK.
The first match saw Varsity College in action against Newcastle Highlanders. The team from Newcastle had a 8 hour bus journey to the stadium and was put to the sword by a rampant Varsity College outfit. Varsity College have been boosted by new acquisition Willem Reader, who had a massive game, cutting holes into the poor Highlanders defense and was duly named man of the match. Victorious coach Neil Kalify was justifiably happy after the match.
“I am very happy with our team’s performance. We’ve placed a lot of emphasis on conditioning which was evident today and our troops will not be getting ahead of themselves, but will be taking one game at a time.” (Varsity College 77 Newcastle Highlanders 0)
The second match was Ethekweni Refractories Amanzimtoti against the Fidelity Security Jaguars, which also was a one-sided contest, with the Toti Terrors bullying the depleted Jaguars outfit that has lost 11 of their first team players and who are battling to come to grips with the 2017 campaign.
Amanzimtoti spearheaded by captain Kevin Buck was in sublime form with his bullocking runs which was reminiscent of a certain Wahl Bartmann of years gone past on the park.
Kevin Van Rensburg, Amanzimtoti coach said: “We are a passionate unit and it’s a joy to coach this team. We’ve not made any major signings but believe in our tried and tested soldiers and we are confident we will be near the top come the end of the season.” (Ethekweni Refractories Amanzimtoti 62 Fidelity Security Jaguars 0).
The third game saw last year’s Castle Murray Cup Champions, SA Home Loan Durban Collegians, blew the South Coast Warriors of the park by beating them by 82 unanswered points. Under a new coach in Jacques Dean, who has replaced Robin Swanepool, as well as experienced captain Wade Elliott who had a storming performance they looking strong for the season ahead. (SA Home Loan Durban Collegians 83 South Coast Warriors 0).
In the final game, after new General Manager of the KZNRU Siseko Jafta and Wahl Bartmann from Fidelity Security declared the 2017 Moor Cup open, Your Communication College Rovers went head-to-head with Bidvest Crusaders. Rovers the current Moor Cup champions have a star-studded team, marshalled by the ever green Chris Jordaan and Bidvest Crusaders who have worked hard in the off season getting Dick Muir as Director of Rugby and acquiring the services of Ronnie Uys as Head Coach with Dusty Noble as his assistant will be a quality side this year. The battle started as an even contest but when Rovers hit their straps, Crusaders struggled to remain in the contest. Coach Derek Heiberg said “I was very disappointed with our first half performance, we were a lot better in the second. We will be concentrating on better executing our game plan each week and the results will surely take place of itself.” (Rovers 46 – Crusaders 17).
In the Zululand derby in Richards Bay, Mancosa Zululand Rhinos had to pull out all stops to eventually edge out Richards Bay 10-12. Rhino’s ace flyhalf Jors Danhauses was in sublime kicking form, nailing all four penalties. A relieved Charles Mndaweni said: “We got of jail here, they scored two tries to nil but we had Danhauser who had his kicking boots on to win us the contest.”
Results
Fidelity Moor Cup Premier League
Varsity College 77 Newcastle Highlanders 0
Ethekweni Refractories Amanzimtoti 62 Fidelity Security Jaguars 0
SA Home Loans Collegians 83 South Coast Warriors 0
Your Communication College Rovers 46 Bidvest Insurance Crusaders 0
Richards Bay 10 Mancosa Zululand Rhinos 12
Wylie Cup Premier League Reserves
Varsity College 82 Newcastle Highlanders 7
Ethekweni Refractories Amanzimtoti 59 Fidelity Security Jaguars 5
SA Home Loan Durban Collegians 108 South Coast Warriors 0
Your Communication College Rovers 13 Bidvest Insurance Crusaders 6
Richards Bay 26 Mancosa Zululand Rhinos 0
First Division
Queensburgh 0 Hillcrest 64
Harlequins 14 PMB Collegians 7
UKZN Durban 0 Westville Old Boys 105
Ballito Dolphins 14 DBN Mets 23
First Division Reserves
Queensburgh 0 Hillcrest 46
Harlequins 28 PMB Collegians 0
Westville Old Boys walk over (UKZN not pitching)
Ballito Dolphins 22 Durban Mets 5
The post The Fidelity Security Moor Cup Week 1 appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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