Festivals light the way for a thrilling school boy rugby season, full of derby days
A look back at the entertaining term 1 holiday festivals hosted across the country and what’s to come in the upcoming rugby-packed months
As the winter season approaches with try lines outlined a final time and temperatures dropping ever so slightly, the past school holiday did not disappoint with its fair share of entertainment. A host of festivals were run around the country; bringing passion, camaraderie and good quality rugby from rugby XVs across all nine provinces. Some highlights from the term break saw the Grey High School Rugby Festival and the Noord Suid Rugbytoernooi taking place.
The Grey festival saw some terrific games take place. Most notably being Michaelhouse’s comeback heroics vs hosts Grey (28-28 final score) as well as Kearsney and Pretoria Boys being separated only by a late try conversion by Doan Nel of Kearsney (28-26 final score). Down in the southern suburbs, you might have missed the Wynberg Festival taking place, right before the holidays. The festival gave its viewers some excellent viewing with Rondebosch and Oakdale fighting a tight and tense game, with the former coming out on top 10-7, and the hosts closing the festival off with a dominant display vs Worcester (29-0 final score). Just a couple games among other great clashes that took place between the 20th and 23rd of March at Wynberg.
In the 11th edition of the Noord Suid Rugbytoernooi, and the first to be held in Stellenbosch, more exciting encounters took place. School rugby titans Affies and Paarl Boys fought out an entertaining 25-17 display, with the side from Paarl coming out on top. Grey College making light work of Jeppe, 64-31, was not the only try-laden game, with Boland Landbou and Waterkloof playing out to a 46-37 result with Boland edging out the thrilling game. Solid victories for SACS and Parel Vallei against Welkom and Mzwandile Mali respectively were also witnessed, along with the onslaught from Paarl Gimnasium on King Edward School (KES). 102, yes 102, - 0. Over 65 Man of the Match awards were given out, with stars coming from a wide range of schools. While all these and many more stood out over the tournament; the forward, back and player of the tournament were judged to be Josh Neill of Rondebosch, Lamela Mgedezi of Grey College and Markus Muller of Paarl Gimnasium. Three players that we should all keep an eye out further this year.
Overall, a time full to the brim with school boy rugby, this past holiday delivered spectacularly for all rugby fans around South Africa. More information and results from each of these festivals can be found on their respective websites and social media accounts. With first XVs now cemented and tested for schools around the country, we look on to a packed few months of rugby season. Coming up this very weekend, the King Price Derby Series leaps back into the spotlight. Be sure to tune into Supersport Schools to watch the following exciting derbies:
Saturday, 12th April
Paarl Gimnasium vs Affies 13:00
Oakdale Landbou vs Paarl Boys’ High School 16:00
Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Grey High School 17:30
Three games that are sure to deliver the very best rugby and light the touchpaper for the 2025 rugby season. Bragging rights, school pride and national rankings are all to play for this weekend and the coming weekends of the 2025 rugby season.
