18 June 2026
Almost 600 talented young footballers from across South Africa will descend on Botha’s Hill next month for the fourth annual Kearsney Soccer Tournament, taking place from 16 to 18 July.
Representing 36 teams, the players will enjoy three action-packed days of competition during the school holidays, showcasing their skills, sportsmanship and passion for the game.
Designed to promote the growth and development of youth football among both boys and girls, while encouraging participation at primary and high school levels, the tournament has become a highlight on the school sporting calendar.
This year, the event features 16 boys’ high school teams, eight girls’ high school sides, and 12 primary school teams from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
The participating boys’ high school teams from KwaZulu-Natal include Durban High School (DHS), Glenwood High, Clifton College, Northwood, and Queensburgh High (Durban); Ashton College Ballito; Maritzburg College; Khabazela High, KwaDinabakubo Secondary, Westville Boys’ High, and the hosts, Kearsney College (all Highway).
Three Gauteng schools – Steyn City School, Sutherland High, and Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge – are participating, with Urban Academy and Alexander Road High (Gqeberha) completing the line-up.
Joining last year’s girls’ high school winners, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), are Durban Girls’ High, Danville Park Girls’ High, St Henry’s Marist College, and Ashton College Ballito, from KZN; Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge, from Gauteng; and Urban Academy and Alexander Road High, from Gqeberha.
The 12 primary school sides include last year’s winners, Merchiston Prep, and Pelham Senior Primary, from Pietermaritzburg; Highbury, Hillcrest Primary, Winston Park, Atholl Heights, Westville Senior Primary (Highway), Clifton Prep (Durban), as well as Ashton College Ballito, Reddam House Ballito, and Curro Salt Rock (North Coast); and Curro Heronbridge (Gauteng).
Beyond the competition, the tournament enables young players to meet and interact with peers from different schools and regions, forging friendships and creating memories that can last well beyond their school years and into adulthood.
Following in the footsteps of Kearsney’s annual Easter Rugby Festival, headmaster Patrick Lees said the school is proud to continue this unique tournament format and to play a role in supporting the development and growth of school football for both boys and girls in South Africa.
“Sport has a remarkable ability to bring young people together, and this tournament offers participants not only the chance to compete, but also to build friendships, learn from one another and enjoy an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Matches will be live-streamed by SuperSport Schools, allowing supporters from around the country to follow the action.
Fixtures and tournament information will be available on the Kearsney Events App, which can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.