Zwartkop added to Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival line-up
Kearsney College has announced that Hoërskool Zwartkop will join next month’s line-up at the 2026 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF).
The newcomers come with an impressive rugby pedigree across all age groups. In 2024, their u16A side was crowned the champion of the Noordvaal Plate Division. A number of those players now form the backbone of the school’s 1st XV.
Zwarries replace the Italian outfit, Verona, which announced this week that it will no longer be operating as a club.
Festival organiser and Kearsney’s Director of Sport, J-P Lubbe, said Zwartkop’s inclusion adds further quality and competitiveness to an already stacked event.
“Last season, they were ranked among the top rugby schools in Gauteng, and their progression through the age groups is evident in the strength of their current 1st XV,” Lubbe said.
“They are a well-coached, physical side that plays an exciting brand of rugby, and we believe they will add real value and intensity to this year’s festival.
“We are grateful to Zwartkop for stepping in at short notice. Their willingness to be part of the festival speaks to the standing of KERF and ensures that spectators can once again look forward to a weekend of top-quality schoolboy rugby.”
The 2026 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is loaded with leading teams from across South Africa, and the setting – Stott Field, over the Easter weekend – is one of the most picturesque venues in the country at that time of the year.
Zwartkop’s addition makes it three tough Gauteng teams at KERF this year. The others are Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg) and fellow newcomers Helpmekaar Kollege (Braamfontein). They’re joined by Hoërskool Rustenburg (North West); the Eastern Cape’s Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha), and Milnerton High School (Cape Town).
The Catholic University School, from Dublin, Ireland, will make their KERF bow, while Peterhouse, from Zimbabwe, returns for their second festival.
KwaZulu-Natal will be represented by a strong quartet – Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood High, and the hosts, Kearsney College.
Both DHS and Westville were top 10 teams in the country last year, Glenwood is one of KZN’s traditional powers, and Kearsney boasts significant talent, which makes the home side one of the most interesting teams, not only in the festival but for the forthcoming season.
Now in its 17th year, the prestigious festival is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s premier school rugby events, offering spectators a unique glimpse into top-level school rugby from different regions, which employ different approaches to the game.
The three play days over the Easter weekend are Thursday, 2 April; Saturday, 4 April; and Monday, 6 April.
Four u16 girls’ teams will be in action during lunchtime slots: Mowat Park High, from Montclair; Grosvenor Girls’ High, from the Bluff; Inanda’s Ohlange High School; and Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School, from Umlazi.
Twelve primary school teams will also enjoy the excitement of playing festival rugby in front of large crowds.
Joining the touring Peterhouse u13 team will be local teams from Ashton Ballito, Atholl Heights Primary, Chelsea Prep, Highbury Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Kloof Senior Primary, Northlands Primary, Umhlali Prep, Westville Senior Primary, and Winston Park, as well as the KZN Ibutho Development side.
For those unable to attend the festival, games will be live-streamed by SuperSport Schools.
Additional festival information, results, match reports and action photographs will be available on www.kearsney.com during the festival.
To avoid the queues, tickets can be purchased online now, at Quicket.
- Zwartkop added to Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival line-up - 2026-03-05
- Van Biljon and Omar double act powers DHS to victory - 2026-03-02
- Maritzburg College downs stubborn Glenwood - 2026-03-02
