Rising rugby stars collide at St John’s Festival: A day of schoolboy brilliance lined up
Top school teams from across South Africa set to deliver fierce matchups, family fun and festival flair at historic Johannesburg grounds.
St John’s College is preparing for a thrilling day of rugby as its annual festival continues on April 19.
With teams from across the country converging on the historic Johannesburg campus, the day promises intense matchups, school spirit, and a celebration of youth sport at its highest level.
Gates open at 07h00, with no access permitted after 17h30.
The Burger Field will be the heart of the action, starting at 08:20 with a promising contest between St David’s Marist Inanda and the Steiner Pest Golden Lions Invitational XV.
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The morning continues with Welkom-Gimnasium Hoërskool taking on Hoërskool Diamantveld, followed by Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool facing off against SACS in what is expected to be a tightly contested encounter.
At 11:50, Pretoria Boys High School meets Graeme College in a clash between two disciplined rugby institutions that should deliver a high standard of play.
In the early afternoon, the attention shifts briefly to the future stars of the sport, with an U13 match between St John’s Preparatory and St David’s Marist Inanda Preparatory at 13:00.
This will lead into the festival’s official opening ceremony at 13:50, a key moment celebrating the history and prestige of this iconic rugby gathering.
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The hosts, St John’s College, then take centre-stage at 14:10 when they battle Hoërskool Randburg in a fixture expected to draw strong local support and provide one of the day’s highlights.
Two more high-stakes U19 fixtures round out the afternoon, Hilton College vs Kingswood College at 15:20, and a fierce final match for the day will see Maritzburg College face Hoërskool Nelspruit at 16:30, a match expected to be physical, fast and competitive.
On the C Field, younger players will have the opportunity to shine in a full slate of U13 games.
Kicking off at 08:30 with St Benedict’s Prep versus Yeoville Boys’ Primary, the morning continues with The Ridge School facing Clifton Preparatory from Nottingham Road, followed by an anticipated clash between Pridwin Prep and Cordwalles Prep at 10:20.
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Later games include St Peter’s Prep against Jan Celliers Laerskool, and a midday contest between St Stithians Prep and Clifton Prep from Durban.
The final U13 match, scheduled for 14:30, will see WHPS take on Middelburg Primary in what promises to be a spirited encounter.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to show support the next generation of South African rugby talent.
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