South Africa Rugby Tour 2008

Having arrived back from South Africa the world seems really abnormal! I mean days go past without climbing mountains or being on safari! How odd! It was one of those trips that I will never forget, for the Year 13s it was there last trip and involvement with the school before they leave for Uni or on their Gap Years and it was great having everyone together on such a fantastic trip.

We played a variety of different sides, in Cape Town we played a Township side and Milnerton High School, and then in Durban we played the Natal Sharks Development Side and also Durban High School. Playing such a variety of different types of clubs and schools was great as we experienced all the different types of cultures. In between games we also did the tourist attractions such as climbing up and down Table Mountain (the cable car wasn’t working due to servicing for the World Cup in 2010.) which proved good practice for my Three Peaks Challenge! As well as visiting Robben Island the day after his 90th Birthday.

The best part of Cape Town for me was when we went to Cape Point, and The Cape of Good Hope. I couldn’t help but think that one day I will be sailing past here and I managed to get some cool pictures also! The views from the top of Cape Point where amazing, it was a beautifully clear day, with blue sky and a stiff breeze, the Southern Ocean looked beautiful! I don’t know what all the fuss is about?!

We next travelled to Durban by plane and played 2 games here. We won the first against the Natal Sharks Development Side 19-7, however lost the final game against Durban High School 30-7, a fair result considering many players now had niggling injuries and we played all but the first 5 minuets with 14 men due to a controversial red card.

After the games where over we went on Safari to relax after the period of games we had played. This was a great experience and it allowed everyone to just forget about the rugby and have a good time. We saw 4 of the big 5, excluding the leopard which is notoriously allusive. I absolutely loved being out in the parks and would love to go back sometime and spend longer in the game reserve, with some camping and over night safaris!

All in all it was a truly amazing experience and one that will live with me forever. I feel very lucky to of had the opportunity to go on such a trip of a life time and will treasure the happy memories with the guys forever!