The lights might be out, the potholes have become craters and even Sandton looks scruffy.

But Joburgers can always rely on their schoolboy Easter rugby festivals to not let them down.

Excellence, competition and warm-hearted crowds abound. And beer – lots of it – and boerie rolls and champagne and cake.

Knowing Joburg at this time of year, probably rain too, but that’s never dampened the mood of festival goers who relentlessly blend community with camaraderie, writes Clinton van der Berg on his Got Game website.

As much social events as sporting

Make no mistake, the festivals, starting this weekend, are as much social events as sporting.

There’s enough on the fringes to ensure even ambivalent fans can enjoy themselves, swept up by the party atmosphere that abounds beyond the touchlines.

For rugby old boys and lovers of the schoolboy game, there are always highlights: individual stars, emerging talents, powerhouse schools, gutsy stayers.

Remarkably, all three festivals (uniformly sponsored by Standard Bank) have maintained their relevance even as competition has arisen in the shape of the Wildeklawer and North/South competitions.

Rather than compromise the original festivals, this reflects the extraordinary interest in schoolboy rugby, which continues to be a vibrant conveyor belt of talent.

The settings have much to recommend. 

St John’s, with its magnificent Sir Herbert Baker backdrop, harks back to a golden age, but is no less relevant today.

Families can stroll through the magnificent grounds or settle into the ample seating to take in the action.

Social butterflies can swoon and sashay to their heart’s content.

This year’s big teams in Houghton include Hilton, Pretoria Boys, SACS and Graeme College.

As the festival has evolved, so has the imperative of competition on all three playing days.

Although junior teams will compete on Easter Monday, the senior teams will not, St John’s having consulted widely to establish the appetite (and efficacy) of back-to-back rugby.

King Edward, around the corner, is compact and frenetic and no less enjoyable.

The school teems with energy and tradition and remarkable support for the first XV.

The star turn this week will be Affies, the marauders from Pretoria, but look out, too, for perennial local rivals Jeppe and the big hitters from Durban, Northwood.

On the northern side of town the originals, St Stithians, will host the 41st edition of their festival.

The great gathering has taken on a life of its own since inception in 1984 and now includes several other sports, making it one of the largest school sport gatherings in South Africa.

If the players have as much energy as the organising committee, fans are in for a sumptuous treat.

Many Springboks have spoken of their experience at the Saints festival chiefly because it is always so enjoyable and unlike any other fixtures.

Two big Cape schools (Wynberg and Bishops) top the entries with Joburg team Helpmekaar always worth a side bet or two.

The action begins on Thursday, 17 April ensuring the most enjoyable of starts to the long weekend.

Are you a big schoolboy rugby festival fan?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/rugby/joburgs-easter-rugby-festivals-beacons-of-excellence-amid-urban-grind/