The curtain came down on the Saints Sports Festival at St Stithians College on Sunday in relaxed fashion, with families gathering for a day of exhibition matches and alumni action. It was a fitting farewell to what was a week of high-energy sport.

Most of the competitive action, including the hockey and netball, had wrapped up on Saturday, leaving Sunday as a celebratory send-off filled with free-flowing rugby, squash, and tennis that reminded everyone why sport brings people together.

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The standout fixture of the day was the rugby clash between English college side Hartpury College and Northcliff High School’s First XV. Hartpury won convincingly 54–20, putting on a polished display that impressed all who watched.

Hartpury coach Tim Brockett was full of praise for his players after the final whistle. “Really happy with the lads. We know it’s a different level of challenge coming across from England to South Africa, and the level of scoreboard rugby here. We wanted to come out and play and put a show on, and luckily the boys backed themselves and did that.”

The victory carried added emotional weight for the squad. For many in the Hartpury group, it was the last match of their two-year college journey, with several players set to move on to Hartpury University, other institutions, or professional contracts.

“It’s the end of a two-year journey at college for them, so it was a nice way to finish.”

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Captain Rahat Clarkson echoed those sentiments, admitting the first half had been a battle before the team found its rhythm. “Honestly, I’ve never been prouder.

The first half was difficult, not many things clicking, but we talked at the break and said, ‘Look, some things might not go our way. We just have to keep pushing, keep the mentality. Obviously, it’s our last game as a group of boys, so make the coaches proud, make yourselves proud’. That was the message.”

Clarkson also spoke about the physical toll of playing at altitude in the Johannesburg heat. “Back in England, I consider myself a workhorse. Here, it’s even harder. The altitude is higher, the heat is on you, and you are under so much more fatigue.”

Elsewhere on the grounds, the squash court served up a tight contest, as alumni Dylan Taylor edged out Zakhe Msimang by 22 points to 19 in an entertaining exhibition match. On the tennis court, Wayne Faver and Renier Moolman gave spectators a fun game to round off the day’s programme.

With the festival now behind them, St Stithians can look back on another successful celebration of school sport, one that brought together local talent, international visitors, and a community united by the love of the game.

For more Easter festival highlights and school action, follow #CaxtonSchools online.