Kearsney to showcase South Africa's top U16 talent

Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal hosted the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week and FNB U16 Girls Week tournaments, showcasing South Africa's best junior rugby players. The event began on June 29, with 38 teams from across the country converging in Botha’s Hill near Durban. This year, both U16 tournaments took place at a single venue, marking a shift in the format from previous years and serving as the launch of SA Rugby’s annual Youth Weeks program.

The FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week kicked off with the Blue Bulls XV facing Kenya in the opening match. Later that day, both the Blue Bulls and the Sharks, who had each secured three wins during the 2025 tournament, played against Eastern Province and the Golden Lions, respectively. A total of 22 teams were set to compete across three match days, from June 29 to July 3.

Meanwhile, the FNB U16 Girls Week was scheduled at the same venue on alternating days, running from June 30 to July 4. On the morning of June 30, the Pumas were set to contend with the Border Country Districts, and later, Western Province was scheduled to face the home team, KwaZulu-Natal. The opening ceremony for this tournament was planned for Tuesday afternoon, followed by a match between the Golden Lions and Blue Bulls, both of whom had finished the previous competition undefeated.

The initial fixtures for the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week were as follows:
- Monday, June 29:
- 08:30: Blue Bulls XV vs Kenya, B Field
- 09:30: Griquas vs Limpopo Blue Bulls, A Field
- 09:45: Iqhawe vs Border Country Districts, B Field
- 10:45: South Western Districts vs Free State, A Field
- 11:00: Leopards vs Valke, B Field
- 12:00: Western Province vs Griffons, A Field
- 12:30: Border vs Namibia, B Field
- 13:30: Blue Bulls vs Eastern Province, A Field
- 13:45: Boland vs Pumas, B Field
- 14:45: Sharks vs Golden Lions, A Field
- 15:00: Sharks XV vs Zimbabwe, B Field

For the FNB U16 Girls Week on Tuesday, June 30:
- 09:30: Pumas vs Border Country Districts, A Field
- 09:30: Griffons vs Free State, B Field
- 10:45: Border vs Eastern Province, A Field
- 10:45: Boland vs Griquas, B Field
- 12:00: Western Province vs KwaZulu-Natal, A Field
- 12:00: South Western Districts vs Leopards, B Field
- 13:30: Opening Ceremony
- 14:30: Golden Lions vs Blue Bulls, A Field
- 14:30: Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Valke, B Field.