Festival test for province’s best

Framesby’s unbeaten run in schools rugby this season will come under close scrutiny when they compete in the Kearsney Easter Festival (KES) in Durban, starting on Thursday.

The Port Elizabeth school is one of 12 teams from the Eastern Cape which will compete in the hugely popular Easter festivals taking place over the weekend.

Matches will be played on Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

After a rampant start to the season, in which they have scored more than 50 points in the past four of their six games, Framesby can expect a stiffer examination at Kearsney.

They open against a tough Welkom Gymnasium outfit and then face the hosts in what should be a highly interesting showdown on Saturday.

Interestingly, in their final match they will face Selborne – a fellow Eastern Cape team they do not play regularly.

The perennially competitive East London outfit will provide another serious test.

After a rampant start to the season, in which they scored more than 50 points in the past four games, Framesby can expect a stiffer examination at Kearsney

Three other leading Eastern Cape schools, St Andrew’s, Kingswood and Grey High, will be in Johannesburg for the St Stithians Festival.

Grey will play only the first two days of the weekend, meeting Michaelhouse on Thursday and Rondebosch on Saturday.

In a coincidence, St Andrew’s will be up against the same two opponents before finishing their programme against Parktown on Monday.

Kingswood have shown promising form this season and they will relish the chance of gauging their level against teams such as SACS, Maritzburg College and Trinity House.

The KES Festival, also in Johannesburg, will have the biggest contingent of Eastern Cape schools, with five of the sides coming from this region.

Nico Malan, Marlow, Queen’s, Dale and Hudson Park will all be in action.

They will, however, be well tested during the weekend, with competitive sides such as Westville, Eldoraigne, Waterkloof and Northwood all lining up among the opposing teams.

Only Nico Malan will play on all three days, with the remaining teams in action just on Thursday and Saturday.

The third tournament in Johannesburg will take place at St John’s, where Graeme College and Daniel Pienaar will be in action.

The Grahamstown side will have a tough opener against Windhoek Gymnasium, while Daniel Pienaar will start their programme against St Charles from Maritzburg.

The Eastern Cape teams:

Kearsney: Framesby, Selborne KES: Nico Malan, Marlow, Queen’s, Dale, Hudson Park St John’s: Graeme College, Daniel Pienaar St Stithians: Kingswood, St Andrew’s, Grey High