Where did that go? - 10 days??

A great day yesterday - very emotional. We beat Excelsior School 22-22 (yes I do mean that). We all then realised that that was that. No more rugby as a team. Mutual support and gratitude was offered and taken by one and all. 

Today saw us visit Robben Island.  Our boys were referred to as "Born Free " as they were born after the end of apartheid. Made the dads feel very old as some of us had been on anti apartheid rallies at college!  It's a very thought provoking place, as the island also houses some radar stations and guns from the Second World War.  The military items feel like they should be newer than the apartheid buildings. We forget that the apartheid regime was only dismantled in 1992!  It seems to have really got the lads thinking (and that is an achievement in itself!)

We're sitting in the airport now. It's like a scene out of a zombie film. People go to sleep as soon as they stop moving. Last minute trip in to the gift shops for the WAGS and Mums.  We raised a glass to them last night (along with Royan, who has supported us all throughout the planning and execution if the tour, with miraculous patience and understanding. We know they have enabled and allowed us to take a trip of a lifetime and we are all truly grateful.  

Newlands; Springboks; Paul Roos; Penguins

Wednesday began with a tour of the historic Newlands stadium. This was an enjoyable and enlightening experience, not least because we finally learnt the difference between Western Province and the Stormers. Following this, we made our way to the Springbok experience. Passing the Currie Cup and Webb Ellis trophy en route, the tour ended with a short film. The look of shock that beset the face of every player when one the teams featured that was presumed to be men's side was in fact the next day's opponents (Paul Roos Gymnasium) was a highlight. We then arrived at our rather plush hotel, much to the delight of the whole touring party. 

The following day began with shopping at Green Market Square and the V&A waterfront, with items purchased including a Zulu spear, a working radio made of bottle-tops and several pairs of MC- Hammer-esque trousers.

It was then time for the game of the tour: Chester RUFC vs Paul Roos Gymnasium. Arriving at the ground we were immediately greeted by a high-end indoor training facility and a stand capable of holding several thousand people; not your average school then. But, being frank, the changing rooms were crap. 

The game began disastrously, with the opposition scoring within the opening minute. However, tremendous toughness and spirit was shown by all from that moment on, and the side were unlucky to lose 18-8 to an extremely well-drilled and typically South African team - in spite of the massive hissy-fit thrown by James Slater. 

Our hosts then invited us to their suitably up-market clubhouse, in which it was made clear to us exactly how popular rugby is in South Africa. Paul Roos play around six televised matches a year, have an average crowd of roughly 6,000 people and can even attract 22,000 supporters when playing against an equally as high-profile school. If that wasn't enough, the school has also produced 50 Springboks in its history. Yet, while this might sound impressive, some of its prestige is removed by the fact that the opposition players turned up to dinner wearing short trousers as part of their school uniform, giving off an  AC/DC tribute act vibe in the process. The team then had one or two shandys to celebrate, in a local Irish bar.

Today has largely been spent being at one with nature. Our list of sights has included penguins, seals and antelope, combined with a visit to Cape Point. The boat trip to see the seals was particularly interesting given the physical state of several tourists. 

End of an era - start of a new one

Today saw the final game for a great teM. Much silverware , knowledge and friendship have been acquired. Here are some pictures from the end of the last game: boys , coaches and dads. 

2 games in a day

Following the previous evening's meal in what can only be described as the South African equivalent of the school from 'Dead Poets Society', we boarded the coach safe in the knowledge that all members of the squad were due to play. 

Both games were played at an incredibly intense pace, with the 'B' side narrowly losing by just a single try. The 'A' side, however, were victorious. A tinderbox atmosphere beset the arena as the opposition came bursting out of their tunnel, something that only further riled the Chester side. Once again, monstrous tackles defined the performance, creating a platform for some strong running from the backs. Obviously the aforementioned does not include James Slater's inexplicable decision to run from a penalty when the game was at the last play stage (fine), or the moment in which the very same player was struck in the face by a ball kicked by one of his teammates.

The evening began with another meal with our hosts, following which we departed for a few celebratory drinks. It soon become apparent that Terry had failed to notice that the bar he had booked contained not one, but four flags from the Apartheid era, all of which were framed and hanging on the wall - cue a very nervous Taylor Larsen. Then, in a logical progression from the flags on display, we were informed that that the latest recipient of the Wonder Woman costume would be, and I quote, "beaten up and thrown in the river" if he were seen to be wearing it in front of the local fisherman. Finally, after consuming the bar's supply of beer, we took the none too subtle hint dropped by the arrival of two rather shady looking local policemen and returned to our hotel. Nonetheless, the evening was a pleasant one.

A trip to Newlands stadium awaits us as I write this entry, one that should be a great experience. 

Game vs Violets RFC

The day began at a time usually reserved for a particularly brutal away day: 6.30am on a Sunday morning. Nevertheless, we bid our hosts at the centre farewell and made our way to Violets RFC.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a sight that pleased the knees of all about to play: a playing field that actually contained a covering of grass. 

Following a team talk ably led by the Teletubby Po, one that was quite difficult to take seriously considering that he was attempting to deliver it whist sporting a reflective stomach and circular antenna, we were ready to embark on the tour's second match.

The game was played at a furious pace, something that proved to be somewhat of a struggle for an opposition front row that appeared as though they had eaten their fair share of braais. Bone-shuddering hits rained in throughout, the most notable being Will Hyde's attempt to seperate the tighthead prop's head from his shoulders, and we eventually won the match 17-7. James Hattersley racked up an impressive 9 tackles, and Tom Jones an equally as valiant 4 turnovers. 

We then ate what appeared to be our own bodyweight in fried chicken and boarded the coach for a three hour journey to the game lodge; this immediately became a five hour as we sat down, much to the delight of all.

Happy Birthday Rory

Goedgedacht trust

We left the RPC and made the short journey to the considerably more rural Goedgedacht trust. Once the bags were unloaded, we quickly discovered that what was billed as 'short walk' back to the community centre was in fact a winding tour through many acres of olive trees.

The presentation that we then bore witness to can only be described as profoundly impactful. We learnt of the poverty that almost every family in the vicinity lives in, and the excellent work that the trust performs in order to attempt to eradicate this. 

What followed was truly surreal. Within a matter of minutes both the centre inhabitants and tourists were engaged in a mass rendition of several dance routines, each more daunting than the last. 

No sooner had the dancing ended the rugby began, as we engaged in a series of highly competitive games of touch, some of which resulted in several players being left for dead by opponents wearing attire that included as jeans, chinos and gilets. 

Next on the agenda was the opportunity to watch a match between two local sides. This proved to be throughly entertaining, with the team we were instructed to support eventually running out winners. 

The game lodge now awaits...