Tour Report

With a host of experienced 1^st XV players leaving for university, Shiplake College’s Senior Squad  15 day tour of South Africa aimed to develop individual’s skills as well as giving young players the opportunity to bond as a squad.

Coaches Sam Beckett, Tom Armstrong and Austin Kersey began their search for future 1^st XV and 2^nd XV players at Alan Zondagh’s Rugby Performance Centre when they joined the director in running a carousel of attack, defence and handling workshops.

A 19 – 0 defeat versus Somerset College, Stellenbosc,h demonstrated that the workshops were essential as  Shiplake showed promise in both attach and defence before falling to Somerset College’s power and cohesion.   Those skills provided  the foundations for a 12 – 19 victory at Bergvleit High School. Dom Rice scored the first try of the tour with further tries from Joe Carey and Alex Ward clinching victory.

From the kick off at York High School it was apparent that the hosts were intent on playing a  fast and physical game.  Of all the games it was this challenging encounter that provided the Oxfordshire players with the best opportunities for learning and development from classy southern hemisphere rugby.

Taking lessons learnt on to the pitch at Knysna High School the forwards looked to play simple clinical rugby and the whole team united to produce some impressive attacking handling. In the dying minutes of the game the ball was moved swiftly and efficiently to enable winger Sam Shields to dive over into the corner to give Shiplake a 31 – 36 victory.

Although the squad had enjoyed the hospitality of the South Africans on a Cape Peninsular tour, a Table Mountain Hike, a Garden Route tour and game drives at Kariega Game Reserve there were no farewell gifts from Witterdrift in the final tour of the game. Tight defence from the hosts saw them to a 14 – 7 victory.

 

Day 13 – Home Time

Waking before dawn for our early morning game drive, there was a quietness amongst the boys which I can only assume was because they were feeling glum about the tour’s termination as opposed to them being sleepy from the early morning wake up call.

On our second drive we saw the Kariega Park in the beautiful dawn light and watched nature stirring herself from her slumbers. Our visual feast included warthogs, jackals and elephants. One group got so close to a herd they were trapped by them for over 2 hours. It was lovely to be so close to wild animals but everyone was glad when we could get away. TIA!

After another fantastic meal in the lodge, we packed our things and loaded the coach for our final transfer to Port Elizabeth airport. We also had to bid farewell to Ice, our inimitable coach driver for the duration.

Boarding our internal flight to Jo’burg the boys seemed tired but pleased to have experienced a true taste of South Africa.

Day 12 – Kariega on Camping

This morning we departed from Port Elizabeth and made our way up to Kariega for a stay at the safari lodges. We arrived at reception and were promptly transferred into 4×4, off-road vehicles for our lunch at the restaurant – complete with stunning views.

After our delicious repast, it was back on the off-roaders for the first of two game drives.

Having never experienced a game drive before, I’m not certain that gloating is the done thing but we saw giraffes, wilder beasts, ostriches, white rhinos (yes plural), lions (again in the plural), buffalo, kudu, bushbok, waterbok and impala to name but a few.

Luckily Mr Beckett had the foresight to risk assess the safari as we were incredibly close to some very adorable-looking lions.

Come nightfall, we enjoyed a delicious braii at a boma – an outdoor camp-style restaurant.

We are all looking forward to an early start for our morning game drive tomorrow.

Day 11 – Final Game

This morning brought with it the sobering realisation that our time in SA is drawing to a close.

The boys made good use of the breakfast buffet to fuel up for what was predicted to be a seriously tough fixture. We departed from Knysna and made our way to Wittedrif to meet our opponents, stopping in Plettenberg for lunch.

After our game we had a long drive to Port Elizabeth. On arrival we checked in and did a quick turn around before heading out for some post match chow – well deserved after the precipitation we suffered today.

Onto the game reserve tomorrow.

Day 10 – Match Day Again

The boys enjoyed a gentle start to today with a relaxed breakfast and some free time to explore Knysna River Club. They made excellent use of the games room, canoeing on the lagoon and wandering along the waterfront.

Following a carb-heavy lunch in the harbour we made our way to Knysna High School for our 15:30 fixture. Match report in due course.

Happy boys had a bit of R&R back at the River Club before heading out for a celebratory dinner at the extremely swanky Senza restaurant.

Final match of the tour tomorrow – Shiplake pride!

Day 9 – Knysna Here we Come – Jambo Dumbo

This morning we all reluctantly departed from Wilderness after a morning training session on the beach and another hearty breakfast. It was back on the bus for the transfer to Knysna Elephant Park. Many boys purchased fruit to feed to the elephants and it was quite an amazing experience feeling their incredibly dexterous trunks hoover up the portions. Also amazing was the snot our elephant friends, earth’s largest mammals, decided to share with us. After feeding them we were allowed to pet and have our pictures taken with the orphaned “eles” as the keepers affectionately refer to them. Our ele, Sally, was 25 years old and weighed nearly 3 tonnes but her considerable bulk does not stop her from running at 40km per hour.

Sad to say goodbye to our new friends we had had a consolatory lunch in the park cafe before making our way to The Knysna River Club. It seems we are fickle creatures as all pangs for our previous lodgings evaporated when we spied the new digs. Luxurious doesn’t really do it justice!

The boys were allowed some free time to enjoy the lagoon, pool, sauna and hot tub before we walked into Knysna town to hunt/gather some supper.

TIA.

Day 8 – Match Number 3 and the Beach

Today was our first morning fixture so it was an early start to fuel up in preparation for the game.
We made our way to York High School in George under clear blue skies and sunshine. It was a tough game and our boys took a few knocks but Oran proved that it’s not so bad really.

After a post match function we stopped off in George for a light lunch before heading back to the hotel and hitting the beach. Lots of wholesome, family fun ensued and we made the world’s best sandcastle.

Tom, Will and James were tough architects to work for but the end result was worth it.

Day 7 – Wild Thing

Today the boys bid farewell to their second set of billet hosts and, once again, the staff were thrilled to hear compliments of the boys’ conduct from Bergvliet parents.

There was a decent amount of time on the road today en route to The Pearl of Wilderness hotel where the boys and staff will spend the next 2 nights. The boys passed the time snacking and napping interspersed by asking the staff “are we nearly there yet?”

No trip to South Africa would be complete without a visit to an ostrich farm so we had a lunch stop and flying visit to the Cango Ostrich Farm where we enjoyed ostrich bobotie – ground meat topped with ostrich custard – a South African speciality.

Bodie, Dom, Freddie, Tom and Sam had a sit on one but Will wanted to prove his ostrich whispering skills and went for a ride. Then it was time for the ostrich neck massage which Cam, Peter, Henry and Jamie were treated to.

It was then a quick hop onto the Cango Caves where the boys learnt a great deal about stalactites and stalagmites. They are having a test this evening to make sure they paid attention. One last hop on the bus brought us to the Pearl of Wilderness hotel in time for a delicious Italian meal and bed.

Match day 3 tomorrow!

Day 6 – Jailhouse Rock and Second Game

We couldn’t really bring the boys to SA without affording them the opportunity to learn more about its incredible social history and its first black President. Despite a squally start, the sun shone for our waterborne departure to Robben Island (which comes from the Afrikaans for seal) to learn more about Madiba’s Long Walk to Freedom.
First we had a coach tour of the island, which was a great deal more extensive than anticipated, where we saw the massive infrastructure required to man such a large offshore prison. Particularly eerie were the abandoned houses of the staff, guards and their families; normal, innocuous family homes in close proximity to the watchtower and 3-foot-thick doors.
We were the led into Block B to have a talk from a former prisoner – also in the political block – and member of the ANC’s military arm. To see Mandela’s cell where he spent the majority of his incarceration was humbling but the boys were also able to experience the dorm cell conditions and imagine what daily life might have been like under Apartheid.

There was just time to grab a quick lunch before heading to Bergvliet High School for our afternoon fixture. Match report from Mr B to follow.

Tomorrow we leave Cape Town to continue our adventure up the garden route.

Day 5 – Wine is Fine and Peninsula Tour

The morning saw the boys bid their first billeting hosts farewell and the staff were very pleased, although not surprised, to hear how we’ll the boys had conducted themselves during their stay.

One mother even used the word ‘exemplary’ about their behaviour!

Another rather damp day, the boys boarded the coach ready for the tour led by our guide, Maggie Gibson. On our tour we visited Cape Point, Simonstown and the Constantia Winery for some wine tasting. Other highlights included viewing the African penguins at Boulders Beach and an exciting maritime voyage to Seal Island that left some of our boys feeling rather green around the gills. Fili, Jamie and Will luckily recovered swiftly and were well enough to enjoy some of SA’s finest wines.

The action packed day continued with our arrival at Bergvliet School for the boys to meet their hosts for the next 2 nights.

Second match day so boys will want some good rest tonight.