On 30 March a squad of 26 boys and 4 staff will leave Christchurch Boys’, bound for South Africa. The team are heading to a new World Schools’ Festival to be hosted by Paarl Boys’ High School.

This year is a significant one for Paarl as it is their 150th anniversary. As part of these celebrations, they will host the inaugural running of this festival, the brainchild of former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.

There are 20 teams involved in the festival, including 10 of the best teams from South Africa. The festival also includes fellow New Zealand side Napier Boys’ High School. The other eight teams come from all around the world and include teams from the USA, the UK, Italy, France, Argentina and Australia.

Rhys Archibald is the head coach of the side and will be assisted by Danny Porte. Mike Drury will manage the team and Sharada Stewart will assume all medical responsibilities as the team physio.

The team will spend two days in Johannesburg at the start of their trip and the first day will take in a trip to the Pilanesburg Game Reserve. On the second day in Johannesburg, the boys will visit the Apartheid Museum in the morning, before heading to Ellis Park in the afternoon to witness what should be an epic encounter between the Crusaders and the Lions.

On Monday, they will fly to Cape Town first thing, before going by bus to Paarl where they will be staying for the duration of the festival.

The draw for the festival has just been released and pitches Christchurch Boys’ against the two powerhouses of South African Secondary School rugby in Paarl Boys’ High School and Grey College. These should be a couple of fantastic matches.

There is a large parent contingent heading over to support the boys, some of whom are extending their trip to take in some of the great opportunities that South Africa offers.

We look forward to giving a detailed run-down of our trip when we return. We would also like to acknowledge the generous contributions of our sponsors who have supported us with this trip:

Quigley Contracting -- The Lone Star -- Joes Garage -- King Long -- Tavendale and Partners -- Kookery Nook Bakery and Café -- C Lund and Son Ltd -- Bridgeside Chambers Barristers -- Club Kingz DJ Infared -- ASICS -- Black Tin Shed -- JAR Builders Ltd -- Vodafone -- Petrotec Services Ltd -- Reliance Recruitment -- Rural Livestock -- Canterbury Biltong -- G.G. Don Ltd -- House Of Travel -- Matson and Allan Real Estate Ltd -- Allergyfree Foods -- Southbase Construction -- Independent Fisheries