Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High festival boosts women’s rugby
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School (GHS) will make history when the school hosts its first-ever home mini rugby festival on Saturday, 25 April.
The event marks a significant milestone in the school’s sporting journey and underscores the growing importance of women’s sport in South Africa.
The festival will feature seven fixtures at the GHS Rugby Field, beginning at 08:00 with the GHS u16 team taking on Grosvenor Girls’ High.
Teams from the Kokstad Rugby Club and Estcourt High School will also compete, with matches streamed live by SuperSport Schools to ensure broader visibility for the athletes.
“This is a proud moment for our school and for women’s rugby in KwaZulu-Natal,” Matthew Marwick, the Principal of Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, said.
“Hosting our first home rugby festival is not only about celebrating sport but also about empowering young women to take their place on the field with confidence and pride. We are committed to building a legacy where women’s sport is given the recognition it deserves.”
Saturday’s festival is a precursor to a bigger event later in the year. From 1-4 October, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High will host a festival featuring 14 teams at UKZN.
Last year, at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the South African team captured the imagination of the country, beating Italy and Brazil, on their way to qualifying for the quarterfinals for the first time
That exciting run has been one of the drivers of a surge in interest and investment in women’s sport, and GHS is hosting the festival to ensure that momentum is sustained.
It’s about providing a stage for young athletes to showcase their skills, breaking barriers, and ensuring equal opportunities for women in sport.
FIXTURES
GHS Rugby Field
08:00 – GHS u16 vs Grosvenor Girls’ High u16
09:00 – GHS u18 vs Grosvenor Girls’ High u18
10:00 – Kokstad Rugby Club u18 vs Estcourt High u18
11:00 – GHS u16 vs Estcourt High u16
12:00 – Grosvenor Girls’ High u18 vs Kokstad Rugby Club u18
13:00 – GHS u18 vs Estcourt High u18
All matches are 20 minutes a side, with a five-minute break at halftime.
