Elite South African Schools Prepare for Annual Easter Rugby Festivals Featuring International Touring Sides

South Africa's elite schools prepare for Easter rugby festivals in Kearsney, Joburg, and Pretoria. See the full schedule featuring international touring sides.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 7:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Kearsney Festival Highlights Regional Rivalries

The KwaZulu-Natal showpiece at Kearsney College opens with a highly anticipated clash between local side Glenwood and Johannesburg’s Helpmekaar. While Helpmekaar recently suffered a heavy defeat to Grey College, their high-scoring victories earlier this season suggest they remain a potent threat. The festival will also serve as a barometer for Westville, widely considered the leading KZN side of 2025, as they prepare for a difficult Saturday fixture against Helpmekaar. Other notable matchups include EG Jansen facing Milnerton and DHS taking on Zwartkop.

International Flair at St John’s and KES

The St John’s College festival welcomes Westlake from Auckland, New Zealand, who will face a physical introduction to South African schoolboy rugby against Monument. Meanwhile, Grey College looks to bounce back from a shock loss to Stellenberg as they tackle Nudgee from Queensland, Australia. At King Edward VII School (KES), the hosts are set for a high-profile battle against St Andrews on Saturday, followed by a Monday clash with Queens College. Australia’s Cranbrook will also feature at KES, testing their skills against Eastern Cape mainstays Dale College and Pearson.

St Stithians Welcomes English and Namibian Talent

In Sandton, St Stithians College hosts Hartpury College from Gloucester, England. The visitors face a rigorous schedule starting with Middelburg and concluding against Northcliff. Windhoek High School will represent Namibia, aiming to demonstrate the rising quality of their national structures in a Saturday showdown with Northcliff. Cape Town’s Wynberg, one of the most consistent teams over the last two seasons, is expected to be a dominant force throughout the weekend, facing both a Garsfontein Invitational XV and the host school.