Kearsney ends with bursaries .
A highly successful sixth Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival wrapped up on Easter Monday with the announcement of four players who each received scholarships to The Sharks Academy for 2014.
Valued at R100 000 each, the recipients are Paarl Gimnasium captain and No.8 Rikus Bothma, Glenwood flank Mzwandile Mazibuko, Boland Landbou lock SJ- Roux and Kearsney College captain and scrumhalf Matt Reece-Edwards who is the son of High, the Springboks fullback.
In making the awards, Hans Scriba, director of the Academy, said there was a big group of outstanding players at this year’s festival, which had led to the awarding of an additional scholarship. Prior to the event, the Academy had announced it would give three awards.
Scriba said: “The broader quality of players this year has been exceptionally impressive. A large number of boys who have played here this weekend will be playing professional rugby in three years’ time."
Selectors and talent scouts from The Sharks, Sharks Academy and KwaZulu Natal Rugby Union have watched every match at the festival. They were particularly impressed by play from the two unbeaten teams at the festival: Paarl Gimnasium and Hoërskool Outeniqua. Scriba said the teams from Grey College, EG Jansen, Glenwood and Kearsney College had also stood out.
The festival was well supported with capacity crowds who were able to enjoy a high standard of competitive rugby in good weather.
Adding to status of the festival and the thrill of competing players, World Cup referee Craig Joubert kicked off the final day’s play by blowing the EG Jansen-Nico Malan game.
Joubert said: “These schoolboy rugby tournaments are wonderful advertisements for our game; it is truly astounding to see the talented rugby players we have coming through our schools. It is always a thrill to ref these games which showcase the future of SA rugby."
