From April 27-30, the Wongalethu High School rugby festival will see school teams across the Border region take to the field once again for three nonstop days of play at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
In its inaugural run last year, the festival hosted 12 other schools, but this year interest has burgeoned immensely and the festival is accommodating 38 other schools from as far as Keiskammahoek, Dimbaza, Debe, Qonce and Mooiplaas.
Last year, the festival saw massive upsets, with dominating performances from Buchule High School which defeated Sikhulule High a whopping 56-0, and Wongalethu High School girls’ side beating Eden High School girls’ side with a final score of 25-10.
The host school’s first team was beaten by Sakisizwe High School 3-0 and this year they hope to avenge that.
Wongalethu High sports administrator Athabile Ngoloyi founded the festival last year to revive Mdantsane rugby after the Covid-19 lockdowns, and to deter pupils from falling prey to substance abuse and criminal activity after school hours.
The first run of the festival was a sporting success, with four pupils who participated in the festival were given bursaries from former model-C schools and seven pupils were selected to represent Border U15, U18 and U20 and at Craven Week.
Wongalethu High School principal Ntombizodwa Mamatu said: “Last year’s festival was a success in that we revived the love of sport and active participation from our pupils and those from other schools.
“We successfully kept our learners from engaging in various misconduct during the festival period.
“We also increased our network base with other bodies and schools that genuinely understand that prioritising sports development is part of effective education.
“This year, we hope to build on our achievements last year but also, with increased participation of girls’ teams this year we hope to do away entirely with the misconception that rugby is a sport for boys.”
The participating schools come from under-resourced backgrounds. Mamatu said given Mdantsane’s workers’ contribution to industry in the region, local businesses should support school sport in the area with resources like playing fields and kit.
The first match kicks off at 9am, and the match between George Randall and Wongalethu will close the festivities.
