Kempies, Pieties exit Saints Easter Festival with victories
The tables were turned on Monday, the final day of the 2026 Saints Easter Rugby Festival, when St John’s College (Harare), who had gone unbeaten in their previous two games against Clifton College and St Stithians College, went down to Hoërskool Pietersburg.
The Zimbabweans fell behind 0-7 early but trailed only 13-14 at the half-time break, but Pieties hit a higher gear in the second stanza and powered clear to record a 38-18 win.
Their forward power made all the difference, with the Polokwane school twice getting over the try line from driving mauls, while also setting up a third with a crash ball from five metres out.
Hoërskool Kempton Park made their intentions clear early in their 38-17 victory over the Hoërskool Garsfontein Invitational XV.
Kempies were eager to end the festival on a winning note, and they made a sound start, with their eighthman Christian Nixon picking up and powering over with a route one ball in the third minute.
After making a dream start, Kempton Park continued to play at speed, forcing Garsies into a heavy dose of tackles.
Outside centre Guillaume Botha, who had consistently broken through opposing defences over the three days of play, continued to break tackles and was rewarded with two tries.
Garsies replied with consolation tries through hooker Erlo van Aswagen and scrumhalf Ethan Wepener.
Flyhalf Katlego Labelo was accurate off the kicking tee throughout the festival and converted both. He also added a tidy 45-metre penalty with his trusty boot.
Scorers:
Hoërskool Kempton Park 38 (21) – Tries: Guillaume Botha (2), Christian Nixon, Bjorn Hardy, Luca du Plooy, Reece van Loggenberg. Conversions: Heinrich Burger (4). Hoërskool Garsfontein Invitational XV 17 (11) – Tries: Erlo van Aswegan, Ethan Wepener. Conversions: Katlego Lebelo (2). Penalty: Lebelo.
Hoërskool Pietersburg 38 (14) – Tries: N/A. Conversions: Juan Randall (5). Penalty: Randall. St John’s College (Harare) 18 (13) – Tries: J. Rudland, Riley Ettlin. Conversion: T Chimuera. Penalties: Chimuera (2).
