Local News
KES Festival 2026: Queen’s College’s Schedule Confirmed for April Double-Header
Eastern Cape Rugby: Queen’s College Set for Double-Header Thriller at KES 2026
KOMANI, EASTERN CAPE – With the 2025 school year drawing to a close, anticipation is already building for the next season, particularly following the early release of fixtures for the 22nd annual King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Rugby Festival in Johannesburg.
For supporters across the Border and Eastern Province regions, the calendar for April 2026 now contains two non-negotiable dates: Saturday, April 4, and Monday, April 6, 2026.
The fixture list reveals an intense schedule for the Eastern Cape schools, with Queen’s College Boys’ High School leading the charge into the Highveld tournament, set to clash with two major opponents.
The Queenians’ Double Challenge
As is tradition, Queen’s College (QC) has been handed one of the festival’s most demanding schedules, serving as a marquee drawcard for the prestigious event.
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Day One Test: QC will take to the field on Saturday, April 4, for a testing battle against Gauteng’s Hoërskool Noordheuwel at 14:00. This clash is an immediate examination of the Komani side’s pre-season preparation, pitting their rugged Eastern Cape style against a physically imposing inland opponent.
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The Festival Finale: The highlight, however, will be on Monday, April 6, as Queen’s College is scheduled for the last match of the entire festival, locking horns with the hosts, King Edward VII School (KES), at 15:15. Playing KES on their home turf, as the main event, is a massive opportunity—and a demanding challenge—that will test the Queenians’ depth and character.
“The KES Festival is the perfect platform for Queen’s College to test ourselves against top-tier opposition outside of our region,” said a local rugby analyst. “The fixture against Noordheuwel is a tough opener, but the final game against KES is what every player will be dreaming about over the off-season. It’s an honour for Queen’s to be selected for that curtain closer.”
Eastern Cape Schools Face Mixed Draw
The Eastern Cape’s strong representation—including Queen’s College, Dale College, Hudson Park, Pearson High School, Hoër Landbouskool Marlow, and St Andrew’s College—will each face two encounters, providing crucial early-season benchmarks:
| Date | Time | Match (Eastern Cape School in Bold) | Significance |
| Sat, Apr 4 | 12:45 | Cranbrook School (Australia) vs Dale College | Dale gets the honour of welcoming the Australian tourists. |
| Sat, Apr 4 | 15:15 | KES vs St Andrew’s College | Grahamstown’s St Andrew’s faces the hosts immediately. |
| Mon, Apr 6 | 10:15 | Worcester Gymnasium vs Dale College | A battle against the competitive team from the Western Cape town of Worcester. |
| Mon, Apr 6 | 12:45 | Cranbrook School (Australia) vs Pearson High School | Pearson gets the chance to gauge EP talent against international opposition. |
The festival is also notable for the inclusion of Cranbrook School from Sydney, Australia, adding a significant international element, particularly to the matches involving Dale College and Pearson High School.
With four months until the first whistle blows, the release of these fixtures shifts the focus from holidays back to pre-season training, as the Eastern Cape schools prepare for what KES Headmaster Mr. David Lovatt described as a “much-anticipated gathering of passionate players” at the 22nd edition of this sporting showcase.
