The Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Interim Committee has confirmed a two-venue programme for the Vodafone Super Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve semi-finals, with selected matches to be staged alongside the international women’s Test between Fiji and South Africa.
The programme, supported by the Ministry of Education and the Fiji Rugby Football Union, will see four school semi-finals played at Churchill Park in Lautoka as part of the second Test programme between the Vodafone Fijiana XV and the Springbok Women.
Interim Committee representative Biu Colati said the arrangement was aimed at providing young players with greater exposure while strengthening the school rugby development pathway.
“Our priority has always been to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes while continuing to strengthen the development pathway for school rugby,” Colati said.
“This programme gives our young players the rare opportunity to perform on the same stage as our national team, exposing them to the atmosphere and standards of international rugby while celebrating the very best of school rugby.”
The Churchill Park programme will begin with the Vodafone Super Deans Under-14 semi-final between Ratu Navula College and Ratu Kadavulevu School.
Ratu Navula College will also face Lelean Memorial School in the Under-19 semi-final, while Sigatoka Methodist College meets St Vincent College in the Weet-Bix Raluve Under-16 semi-final.
At 1pm, the Vodafone Fijiana XV will face the Springbok Women in the second Test of their series.
Fijiana will be looking to level the series and retain the Ubuntu-Bula Trophy following a closely contested opening Test.
The final match at Churchill Park will feature the Vodafone Super Deans Under-18 semi-final between Suva Grammar School and Ra High School.
Ra High has emerged as one of the standout teams of this year’s competition after entering the Northern competition as the Western Division’s fourth-ranked qualifier.
The side went on to become the North’s top qualifier before capturing the Western Division title and advancing to the national semi-finals.
The remaining Super Deans and Raluve semi-finals will be played at HFC Bank Stadium, Buckhurst Ground 1 and Bides Ground.
The committee said the confirmed allocation of matches, venues and kick-off times would be announced soon.
Colati thanked the Ministry of Education, FRFU, schools, officials, sponsors, volunteers and supporters for working together to deliver the programme.
“Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to growing school rugby and creating opportunities for the next generation of Fiji rugby players,” he said.
