Welcome – Easter Rugby Festival

Welcome from the Executive Headmaster

Welcome to the 28th St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival, proudly brought to you by Standard Bank. It is a privilege to once again host this prestigious celebration of schoolboy rugby, where skill, sportsmanship, and camaraderie take centre stage.

The Easter Rugby Festival is not about league standings, trophies, or medals—it is about the love of the game, the friendships forged, and the lifelong memories created. It is a festival of rugby in its purest form, where players challenge themselves, showcase their talents, and embrace the spirit of competition with respect and integrity.

To our visiting teams, we extend a warm St John’s welcome. We hope your time with us is both enjoyable and enriching, and we look forward to thrilling encounters played in the true spirit of schoolboy rugby. Your dedication and passion are what make this festival an unforgettable experience each year.

A heartfelt thank you to our headline sponsor, Standard Bank. Your unwavering support since 2012 has been instrumental in the continued success of this festival. We are also grateful to our media partner, SuperSport Schools, for ensuring that family, friends, and rugby enthusiasts around the world can share in the excitement.

Behind every great event is a team of committed individuals. I extend my sincere appreciation to Mr Gavin Houlston, Chairman of the Festival Organising Committee, and his team for their meticulous planning. A special thanks also goes to our sports masters, Mr Alan Lion-Cachet, Mr Adrian Norris, Mr Khwezi Mqomboti and Mr Grant Harrison, along with our coaches, for their dedication to nurturing and developing our young athletes.

Our deep gratitude also extends to the estate staff, medical teams, catering and boarding personnel, as well as the many teachers and parents who give so generously of their time to make this festival a success. Your hard work and commitment are truly valued.

As we gather this Easter, may we reflect on the season’s message of renewal, hope, and unity. Let us embrace the spirit of Easter both on and off the field, playing with passion, fairness, and enjoyment.

Gentlemen, play hard, play fair, and most importantly—have fun! May this Easter Weekend be filled with unforgettable moments of rugby and camaraderie.

Stuart West
Executive Headmaster
St John’s College

Welcome from the Prep Headmaster

It is with great excitement that I welcome the U13 teams and all our visitors to the 28th St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival—a weekend filled with passion, energy, and the joy of rugby.

For our U13 players, this festival represents more than just a series of matches—it’s an opportunity to experience the thrill of playing on a big stage, to learn from others, and to be inspired by the older players who have paved the way. It’s a time to develop new skills, forge lasting friendships, and grow both as players and individuals.

Rugby teaches us invaluable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and respect—lessons that extend far beyond the field. For these young athletes, the game offers a chance to build confidence, develop resilience, and discover the true meaning of sportsmanship.

To all the U13 teams, I hope you enjoy every moment of this experience. Whether on the field or off, take pride in the growth you will achieve through this festival, and remember that the fun and learning are what matter most.

Boys, play with passion, play with courage, and enjoy every minute. We are all so proud of your efforts, and we look forward to watching you grow through the game.

Thank you to everyone who made this Easter Rugby Festival possible. May it be filled with excitement, learning, and unforgettable memories for you all.

Lester Lalla
Prep Headmaster
St John’s College

Welcome from Standard Bank

Standard Bank is delighted to announce our partnership with St John’s College for this year’s Easter Rugby Festival. Our enduring collaboration with the St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival reflects our unwavering commitment to the growth of this continent and its people. We have always recognised the immense value these partnerships bring to young
individuals.

At Standard Bank, we believe that everyone—every individual and every business—has the potential and desire to grow. Growth empowers, creates impact, and has the power to enhance all aspects of life: from financial to personal to community.

Growth, however, is a journey. It begins with ambition, is strengthened by challenges, and is driven by motivation. Most importantly, growth begets more growth. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote youth development. We acknowledge that sports and education are crucial in cultivating well-rounded individuals, fostering healthy competition, and encouraging teamwork for a prosperous future.

We see ourselves as more than just a bank. Our goal is to unlock opportunities by building strong relationships that enable collective success.

This spirit of teamwork and cooperation is what we aim to define our partnership with St John’s College, an institution renowned for its distinguished history of excellence.

We extend our best wishes to all the participating teams. By playing fairly, working diligently, and supporting one another, you will achieve success—not only for yourselves but also for your community and country.

Thank you.

Tshiamo Molanda
Head, Youth and Mass Market PPB SA, Standard Bank

First XV Coach’s Welcome

This will be my second St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival in charge of the College’s First XV, but I have been here before with a previous school. We have three tough encounters ahead of us, and they will be a good test of how our early-season preparation has gone ahead of our local season. I am looking forward to being part of it as an insider and seeing some of the country’s top schools in action on Burger Field.

The Easter festivals are an important part of South Africa’s rugby talent identification process, and we are glad to provide an opportunity for players to be recognised. Many top players will already have been included in the provincial high-performance programmes or approached by universities. This is a great place for the 2nd and 3rd tier players to put their hands up.

We will try not to let the size of the occasion and the pressure of being the host school affect our performance and treat each fixture as a normal game.

It is our 26th anniversary, and we are all proud to be part of such a historic event.

Katleho Lynch
First XV Coach
St John’s College