The Independent Schools Rugby Festival (ISRF), brought to you by Absa, kicked off in chilly early morning conditions at St David’s Marist Inanda on Saturday.
More than 1 200 players and 300 coaches were in action with, for the first time, all three high school categories – u14, u15, and u17 – taking place at the same venue, and the u13 festival for prep schools, also being hosted by St David’s.
It’s an ambitious undertaking – there will be 168 games played in all at the end of it – and, by its conclusion, the players will have had the opportunity to test themselves against strong opposition while reinforcing the values of respect, camaraderie, and sportsmanship that are the cornerstone of rugby at the Independent Schools Rugby Festival.
The air temperature didn’t rise by much as the day progressed, but there was plenty of red-hot passion from the players, and some stirring performances across the age groups.
The focus, first and foremost, at the ISRF is that it is a festival. At the 1st XV level, the teams are mostly stayers’ outfits, thus u17, and results are not the most important thing. Rather, the event is an end-of-season celebration and an opportunity to cast an eye over the possibilities that lie in wait for the next season.
Having said that, competition is always important, and several sides caught the eye on Saturday. Among the U17s, Bishops and Michaelhouse stood out, and the teams facing them in their next two outings will have their work cut out for them.
St John’s College also has a good opening day – their u17s and u15s beat Kingswood, while Bloemfontein’s St Andrew’s School was the only school to notch up wins in all three College age group categories.
The prep school action continues on Monday, while the college teams take a break.
Day One Results
u13
Waterkloof House 35 The Ridge 10
St Peter’s 29 St Stithians 17
St David’s 15 Highbury 14
Woodridge 14 St John’s 12
Bishops 28 St Peter’s 17
Western Province Prep 14 Waterkloof House 12
Woodridge 47 St Stithians 7
Highbury 31 St John’s 7
Western Province Prep 35 The Ridge 10
Bishops 19 St David’s 19
u14
St Andrew’s 47 St Benedict’s 7
St Charles 28 St John’s 14
St Stithians 39 Cornwall Hill 12
St David’s 53 Somerset College 0
St David’s White 27 CBC Boksburg 17
u15
St Benedict’s 73 Lions XV 5
St Charles 31 Alex Wolves 0
St John’s 42 Kingswood 33
Michaelhouse 59 Somerset College 0
St Andrew’s 24 St David’s 19
u17
St Benedict’s 17 Cornwall Hill 12
St Alban’s 21 Lions XV 19
St John’s 35 Kingswood 7
Michaelhouse 43 Eton 10
Bishops 71 St David’s 12
St Charles 28 St Andrew’s 24
St Stithians 33 Somerset College 5
St David’s II 19 Eton II 10
St Andrew’s Barbarians 31 CBC Boksburg 7
