Durham School pupils recently returned from an unforgettable South Africa Sports Tour, filled with competitive fixtures, cultural experiences, and team bonding moments that will be remembered for years to come.
Cape Town
The group touched down in Cape Town and wasted no time, heading straight to their first training session.
The next day saw them take on Table Mountain, with a cable car ride and hike to the summit, followed by a 3–3 draw for the hockey team later in the day!
Day 3 was packed from start to finish with surfing in the morning, fish and chips on the beach, then rugby and netball fixtures for both 1st and 2nd teams.
An early start on Day 4 included a boat trip and visit to a penguin sanctuary, before the hockey team delivered a strong performance and a well-earned win. The day ended with dinner at the vibrant Cape Town waterfront.
On their final day in the city, teams were back in action early for rugby and netball matches. Later, everyone enjoyed some fast-paced fun at the go-kart track and a final team meal to round off their time in Cape Town.
Durban & Safari
The group caught an early flight to Durban and headed straight to Hluhluwe Game Reserve for their first safari experience.
Despite the wet and windy weather the following day, the wildlife didn’t disappoint. It was a memorable outing that gave everyone the chance to see some incredible animals up close.
They then travelled to a cultural centre for an immersive local experience and completed the day with karaoke on the bus and a relaxed team dinner back in Durban.
A beach morning at Umhlanga Rocks was followed by fixtures in rugby and hockey at the great facilities of Ashton International School.
Johannesburg & Beyond
During the long journey from Durban to Johannesburg, the group made a powerful stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site; a moment that resonated with all.
Later, they visited the Winnie Mabaso Foundation, where pupils donated kits, equipment, books, and school supplies. The Winnie Mabaso Foundation is an incredible charity which builds up its local community, providing vital support. It was a special experience for all but especially impactful for the MacLeod girls to see their House charity.
Rugby fixtures at Parktown Boys’ School provided a tough final challenge, with the 1st XV finishing their tour 4 from 4. The girls’ 1st and 2nd both competed in three hockey matches at Randburg High School who were very strong opponents, but as always, our teams played competitively.
Final Day
On their final full day, pupils took to the trees for a zip lining adventure with Magaliesberg Canopy Tours before enjoying a traditional Braai dinner at Sport Pro Lodge in Randburg.
The tour was a fantastic mix of sport, culture, and connection, and the pupils represented Durham School with pride every step of the way.
A final thank you must be said to all who hosted our teams across South Africa and thank you to all our staff for making this trip possible and a memorable experience for all.
Make sure to follow @durhamschsport on Instagram to see videos of the entire trip!
