Now in its 17th year, this prestigious festival promises another thrilling showcase of top-level schoolboy rugby, while offering local spectators a unique glimpse into the school rugby styles of Ireland and Italy, adding an exciting international dimension to the Easter weekend spectacle.

Touring teams from the Catholic University School (Dublin, Ireland), Verona Rugby (Northern Italy) and Peterhouse Boys’ School (Zimbabwe), will be joined by four strong local KwaZulu-Natal schools in the senior boys’ division - Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood High and hosts Kearsney College.

Included in this year’s lineup are two tough Gauteng teams - Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg) and newcomers Helpmekaar College (Braamfontein); as well as Hoërskool Rustenburg (North West); the always-exciting Eastern Cape’s Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and Milnerton High School (Cape Town).

The three play days over Easter weekend are Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Monday 6th April.

Confirming this year’s participating teams, Kearsney headmaster Patrick Lees said the success of the festival, which last year included three divisions for the first time, highlighted its invaluable role in the development of the country’s school rugby culture and growth since Kearsney’s inaugural festival in 2008.

He acknowledged the immense contribution of festival sponsors, whose invaluable support has assisted the event to grow each year.

Headline sponsor Standard Bank South Africa said their sponsorship of the festival highlighted their desire to support youth development.

“We recognise the powerful role that sport and education play in building character, confidence and unity. Through platforms like this festival, we are not only nurturing athletes, we are shaping responsible, resilient and inspired leaders for tomorrow,” said Tshiamo Molanda, head of the youth and mass market at Standard Bank’s personal and private banking division.

Carrie-Ann van Heerden, dealer principal at first tier sponsor Halfway Ford Waterfall, said they were looking forward to another unforgettable KERF weekend, where families, friends and rugby enthusiasts can celebrate the game.

“There is nothing quite like the electric atmosphere at the festival – the roar of the crowd, the crunch of hard tackles, and the pride that rugby ignites in all of us,” she said.

Coenraad de Villiers, high performance manager at The Sharks Academy, said each year they were impressed by the consistently high standard of rugby on display at KERF; with the knowledge that many of these players would go on to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of rugby in the country.

Building on the success of the initiative at last year’s festival, four U16 girls’ teams will play during lunchtime slots. They are Mowat Park High from Montclair, Grosvenor Girls’ High from the Bluff, Inanda’s Ohlange High School and Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School from Umlazi. The latter two teams boast five and six provincial girls’ rugby players respectively.

Twelve primary school teams will also enjoy the excitement of playing festival rugby in front of large crowds.

Joining touring Peterhouse College’s U13 team from Zimbabwe, 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.

Teams travel with families and supporters to enjoy KERF’s spectacle of running rugby in a family-friendly festival atmosphere on Kearsney’s beautiful campus. Adding to the ambience, there will be a fun KidZone for the little ones, ample parking, as well as numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent to ensure spectators can fully enjoy the weekend’s sporting entertainment.

For those unable to attend the festival, games will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. 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.co.za