Jozi schools set for action-packed sport festivals this Easter weekend
Sponsored by Standard Bank, the festivals promise to be a celebration of the best in schoolboy rugby.
Three schools in Johannesburg North are getting ready to host schools from all over at the annual school sports festivals.
St John’s College, King Edward VII School, and St Stithians College will welcome visitors over the Easter weekend, from April 16 to 21.
Sponsored by Standard Bank, the festivals promise to be a celebration of the best in school sport.
There are no league tables, trophies, or medals at their festivals, instead, it is all about the love of rugby, school spirit, and community.
These are venue tips and policies to plan your visit, to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action.
Saints SportsFest
Spectators will be able to purchase food like chips, boerewors rolls, doughnuts, and drinks from some great vendors, whilst experiencing Saints spirit at its best.
The Higher Ground Restaurant will be open over the festival dates, offering their usual incredible hospitality and magnificent views over the Saints grounds.
Saints Sports Festival 2025 is, once again, a cashless event, from the purchasing of tickets, to paying for food and drinks at vendors.
Visitors can pay in a safe and convenient way using karri, debit card, credit card, or SnapScan.
The Saints hospitality marquee will be placed above Baytopp Field.
Access tickets, at a cost of R150 per person, will be sold daily at the marquee on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a strictly over 18 venue.
The main tent will be situated on Henning Field, with a rugby spectators’ area on the edge of Jamieson, overlooking Baytopp Field.
Matches to look forward to: St Stithians face Clifton, while Michaelhouse will go up against St John’s Harare.
Other big clashes include Bishops taking on Helpmekaar, and Hartpury College, from the UK, facing Rand Park and Wynberg. (These fixtures are yet to be confirmed. Changes will be provided as we receive more information.)
With a full lineup of entertainment on both the Thursday and Saturday of the Festival, spectators are encouraged to check out the Old Stithian Association Facebook page for more information.
The Saints Sports Festival will feature a mix of rugby, hockey, netball, football, and squash, making it one of the most diverse sporting events of the season.
The OSA Zone will offer an exclusive space for alumni, while family-friendly areas ensure an enjoyable experience for all visitors.
The event will be held at St Stithians College, with medical and ambulance services available on-site.
A lost and found and security office will be located near the main entrance for convenience. Wi-Fi hotspots will be accessible throughout the venue.
A wide selection of food vendors will serve both local and international cuisines.
For premium viewing, guests can access the Saints Hospitality Marquee at R150 per day.
All payments will be cashless, with debit/credit cards, Karri, and SnapScan accepted.
Participating schools (rugby):
- St Stithians Boys’ College
- Hartpury College
- Rand Park High School
- Clifton School
- Northcliff High School
- Hoërskool Marais Viljoen
- Michaelhouse
- St John’s Harare
- St Charles College
- Windhoek High School
- Bishops Diocesan College
- Wynberg Boy’s High School
- Helpmekaar College
- Mzwandile Mali XV Foundation
St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival
The 28th St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival will take place on April 17, 19, and 21.
The school will welcome visitors from far and wide, and have a phenomenal lineup of colleges and prep schools participating. The festival will be a wonderful day out for the whole family, with the St John’s Pre-Prep Tea Garden, food trucks, and beer village available for enjoyment.
The VIP viewing deck, overlooking Burger Field, will bring fans closer to the game than ever.
This perfectly appointed, luxuriously furnished, terraced deck offers excellent rugby viewing, serviced lounge areas with a full bar, a gourmet food station, and private bathrooms.
They will also showcase the best schoolboy rugby on the Burger Field and C rugby field.
All games from Burger field and C rugby field will be live-streamed via the SuperSport Schools app for family and friends far and wide.
Disabled parking will be available at the D rugby field entrance, where guests will be escorted by security to the designated parking area.
The St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival is a cashless event. Debit and credit cards will be accepted.
St John’s College will welcome top U19, U16, and U13 teams to their historic grounds.
The VIP viewing deck offers a premium experience, while families can enjoy food vendors, a beer garden, and a relaxed viewing environment.
Matches to look forward to: Kingswood will take on Hoërskool Randburg in one of the early fixtures, while Pretoria Boys’ High will face Hoërskool Diamantveld.
The hosts, St John’s College, will meet Hilton College in what promises to be a thrilling clash under the floodlights.
The tournament will continue with intense matchups, including Pretoria Boys’ High versus Graeme College, and Hoërskool Randburg going head-to-head with the hosts.
The festival will conclude with a focus on U16 matches, giving younger players a chance to shine.
The festival will conclude with a spotlight on U16 matches, providing younger players the opportunity to shine.
Hosted at St John’s College, the event will be live-streamed via the SuperSport Schools app. Spectators can enjoy a VIP viewing deck offering prime views, gourmet food, a full bar, and private lounges.
For families, there will be tea gardens, food trucks, and a vibrant beer village.
Tickets are available through Webtickets at R55 for general access and from R150 for VIP.
Parking is R15, and gates open daily at 07:00.
Participating schools (rugby):
- St John’s College
- Kingswood College
- Hoërskool Randburg
- Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker
- Graeme College
- Golden Lions Invitation XV
- Maritzburg College
- St David’s Marist, Inanda
- South African College High School
- Hoërskool Nelspruit
- Welkom Gymnasium
- Pretoria Boys High School
- Hoërskool Diamantveld
- Hilton College
King Edward VII School Easter Rugby Festival
King Edward VII School (KES) will host its annual Easter Rugby Festival, bringing together top rugby and hockey schools for three days of intense competition.
The festival will feature some of the country’s best rugby talent, with a strong focus on school pride and sportsmanship.
From thrilling rugby matches to vibrant festival atmospheres, the 2025 Easter Rugby Festivals promise to be must-attend events for rugby fans, school communities, and families.
With top facilities, seamless organisation, and an emphasis on fun and sportsmanship, these festivals highlight the best of South African school sport.
Matches to look forward to:
Exciting fixtures include Queens College Boys’ High against Parktown Boys’ High, and King Edward VII School taking on Rondebosch Boys’ High.
The festival will wrap up with more intense encounters, including Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool vs Selborne College, and King Edward VII School facing Northwood School.
No outside food or beverages will be allowed to be brought onto the property.
It is also a cashless event and the visitors and spectators can enjoy food from different vendors.
There will be an entertainment area, photo session, and tea garden for visitors to enjoy. Visitors are advised to bring things like hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, and camping chairs, depending on the weather, as there is not much shade around the grounds.
Hosted at King Edward VII School, the event will showcase top U19 school rugby teams in action, with live streaming available via the SuperSport Schools app.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of food and drink options from numerous vendors and hospitality areas.
For tickets and schedules, visit each school’s website or head to Webtickets to secure your spot at one of the biggest school sports events of the year.
@caxton.schools Itumeleng Molefe & Nkosephayo Vilakazi introduce the first edition of Caxton Schools! The first edition will reach selected schools within the next two weeks. Get your hands on this exclusive publication at the biggest school sports festivals during Easter weekend! 📖 Don’t miss out on this must-read, packed with: 🔥 Players to watch 🏫 The story behind school rivalries 📸 Epic photos 🎯 Games you can’t afford to miss 📅 Fixtures and more! #CaxtonSchools #EasterFests #EasterSchoolFests #SchoolSportsFest #KES #StJohns #SaintsSportsFest
Participating schools (rugby)
- King Edward VII School
- Pearson High School
- Northwood School
- Hudson Park High School
- Hoërskool Eldoraigne
- Queens College Boys’ High School
- Parktown Boys High School
- Hoërskool Noordheuwel
- Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
- Jeppe High School for Boys
- Selborne College
- Rondebosch Boys’ High School
Participating schools (hockey)
- King Edward VII School
- Parktown Boys High School
- Jeppe High School for Boys
- St Charles College
- Hoërskool Eldoraigne
- Maritzburg College
- Helpmekaar College
- Glenwood High School
- Hoërskool Waterkloof
- Northwood School
- Kearsney College
- Selborne College
- Queens College
- Pearson High School
