01/04/2026
So excited to be at the St John's College Easter Rugby Festival again this Easter long weekend - catch some incredible rugby while you smash a yiro or 2!
The 29th St John's College Easter Rugby Festival, brought to you by Standard Bank - South Africa, kicks off on Thursday for three days of festival fun.
Games under floodlights on the first night of the festival have been popular for some years now, and there will be more night action this year. The last game on Day 1 kicks off at 8.20pm on Thursday, meaning there will be four matches under lights, and on Saturday, there are games at 5.30pm and 6.40pm. Night games are undeniably dramatic, and full houses are expected.
The format has changed over the years. The first night games in festival rugby were hosted at St John's. The U13s have been a fixture for many years, with the U16s – the stars of tomorrow – introduced in 2025.
Games under floodlights on the first night of the festival have been popular for some years now, and there will be more night action this year. The last game on Day 1 kicks off at 8.20pm on Thursday, meaning that there will be four matches under lights, and on Saturday, there are games at 5.30pm and 6.40pm. Night games are undeniably dramatic, and full houses are expected.
Under-13 teams from 14 Primary Schools will be in action on all three days, with St John's Prep playing on the Burger Field on Thursday against The Ridge School at 6.20pm.
There will be three under-16 matches on Monday, the third day of the festival, giving players who will, in all likelihood, be back here for their 1st teams in the next year or two, a taste of the big stage.
The under-19 teams are, undoubtedly, the stars of the show, and it is they who draw the crowds. The big news this year is the return to the festival of Grey College Rugby. They are perennially one of the top three sides in South Africa, and they haven't been at a festival in these parts for a number of years.
Another exciting development this year is the presence of an Australian school, St Joseph's Nudgee College of Brisbane, and Westlake Boys High School of Auckland, New Zealand. They both come with the reputation of being among the best in their countries, and they will be watched with interest.
Nudgee College have a tough start against Grey College at 5.10pm on Thursday, while Westlake will also be tested on day one, by Hoërskool Monument at 4pm. St John's closes off the action on Day 1 at 8.20pm against Bishops Diocesan College, and the game preceding theirs, Hilton College vs Hoerskool Nelspruit (7.10pm) should be a cracker.
On Saturday, Graeme College vs Bishops Diocesan College (3.20pm), and Hilton College vs Nudgee College (6.40pm), both have the makings of exciting clashes.
Don't miss what promises to be a spectacular festival. Tickets are available through Webtickets or at the gate. 💙
Energade The Courier Guy Busamed
