Wellington gears up for record-breaking Six Gun Grill Summer Sport Festival

Wellington is gearing up for a major summer sports showcase as the Six Gun Grill Summer Sport Festival returns for its second edition from December 1-6, and organisers say the event is growing faster than anyone expected.

Now firmly established as the second-largest school sports festival in South Africa, behind only the prestigious Wildeklawer Tournament, the Wellington-based festival is set for a bumper year. More than 3 300 participants and 86 schools have already confirmed their spots, with teams travelling from across South Africa and as far afield as Namibia to be part of the action.

“We’re incredibly proud to see how this festival continues to grow,” said Duitser Bosman, co-founder of the Six Gun Grill Summer Series. “What started as a small dream to help schools prepare for the new season has evolved into a national sporting highlight.”

Unlike traditional tournaments that focus strictly on results, the festival is intentionally designed as a pre-season platform – allowing coaches freedom to rotate players, try new combinations, and build depth ahead of the 2026 school sports calendar.

Former Springbok rugby star and event co-founder Pieter Rossouw says that flexibility is what sets the festival apart.

“We deliberately call it a festival, because it’s about more than just winning or losing,” Rossouw explained. “For the winter codes there are no restrictions on squad sizes, while the summer sports still crown winners to keep a competitive edge.”

Across Wellington’s schools and sports grounds, action will unfold in 10 sporting codes: rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, tennis, chess, karate, athletics, swimming, and cross country.

The organisers have also placed strong emphasis on development and inclusivity, with several schools and academies receiving full sponsorship to participate. Among the confirmed development teams are Paulus Joubert Secondary, Klein Nederburg Secondary, Nets Netball Academy, Wellington High School, and Bergrivier Secondary.

“We want every learner to have the opportunity to compete, whether they come from a major sports school or a smaller community school,” Bosman said.

Participants will receive welcome packs, daily meals courtesy of Six Gun Grill, and unlimited hydration through Coca-Cola’s Peninsula Beverages station. In the evenings the festival grounds come alive with live performances on the Coke Music Stage, transforming the event into a wider celebration of sport and community.

Registration is now open at summerfestival.co.za, with organisers expecting further growth before kick-off.