In Monday's Whole School Assembly, we heard from Year 12 pupil, Indigo Doherty, and Year 13 pupil, Elliot Jones, about the Rugby Department's recent senior boys' tour to South Africa!
'In July, 49 senior rugby players travelled to Cape Town to take part in the Festival of Unity. We played six tough matches against strong South African opposition. The 1st XV went undefeated throughout the tour with a hard-fought draw against the Hamilton Sea Point club side (which contained some Junior Springboks), and two good victories against a Be the Difference Township Team and Edgemead School.
The 2nd XV came up against some very tough opposition, losing to the same Hamilton’s team and Kasselvei School, before ending the tour with a victory against Collegians College. Some of our games were broadcast live on YouTube and it was great to know that our families and friends were supporting from afar.
We also enjoyed some training sessions at the famous Gardens Rugby Club in the shadow of Table Mountain - an amazing backdrop for our sessions.
The trip wasn’t just about rugby. We were lucky enough to enjoy some incredible experiences off the field too. We enjoyed the wildlife with some whale watching in Hermanus Bay and had evening and early morning game drives at the Garden Route Game Lodge where we had some close encounters with the big five.
Despite the fact it was autumn, we also visited some of the beaches and visited the top of Table Mountain on a sunny and clear day for incredible views over the city. We also had the chance to experience South African culture more closely. We visited the Langa Township, where we experienced the living conditions faced by many communities and enjoyed a homemade lunch at Sheila’s restaurant. We also spent time at Gold Restaurant, where the whole group had the chance to take part in African drumming as well as enjoying a 10-course meal with traditional African music and performances. These were powerful and memorable experiences.
This tour was also a fantastic opportunity for some preseason training, and it was a really special way for us to say goodbye to our Year 13 leavers, who finished their Shiplake rugby journeys with a trip they will always remember.
On behalf of everyone, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the staff who made this possible. Firstly, to Mr Edwards for organising the trip, and to Mr Bradley, Mr Jones, Mr Dix, Mr Mordt, Mr Canning, and Ollie Brown for leading us.
And finally, a very big thank you to Year 12 pupil Daniel Johnson Greenwood, who took the brilliant photographs as a memory for us all to enjoy.
Overall, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience: fantastic rugby, amazing sights, cultural learning, and memories that will last forever.'
