Boishaaier 2025

Ireland and UK Sports Tour

Ireland and UK Sports Tour

Sean Erasmus

A group comprising 94 boys, 11 supporters and 9 staff, that’s a tour! Water P olo, hockey and rugby decided to band together and tour Ireland and the UK in December 2024. Travelling from Cape Town, we split into two groups for our flight to Istanbul, and thanks to a kind cleaner who found a forgotten passport, we made it safely to a beautiful but freezing Dublin. The boys quickly mastered Dublin’s public transport and set off exploring – trams, bikes, scooters and all – sharing photos nonstop. Although competition is important, the tour’s real goal was for everyone to experience each city together and enjoy travelling in their own way. The supporters and staff were treated to an incredible tour of the Guiness Factory – a must for anyone travelling to Ireland! On game day our rugby players were up against Terenure College, our hockey games were played at Dublin High School, and water polo took on St Vincent’s. The facilities and reception at these matches were incredible; our teams did really well and great friends were made. From Belfast we ferried to Edinburgh, enjoying a stunning sunrise, festive markets and matches at historic Fettes College, even earning applause for disembarking 100 boys in 1:45 minutes! The group stayed in Stratford-upon-Avon and travelled to Rugby to play rugby against Rugby, the origin of the game of rugby – a beautiful school rich in heritage and tradition, the only school in the UK allowed to play with a white jersey. What an experience for each of our boys to play on this hallowed turf and to visit the school! The hockey boys played Loughborough Grammar at the world-class Loughborough University, while the water polo teams faced Solihull Club, a quirky shallow-and-deep-end match that was great fun and unforgettable.

In London, a thrilling (and freezing) Thames powerboat ride kicked off our visit, followed by an “amazing-race” city challenge and a fun stop at Madame Tussauds – pure excitement all around! Our final matches were special – rugby at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium against their academy and hockey and water polo at Trinity College – with great performances, loud support and unforgettable camaraderie. Hockey and water polo played against Trinity College. What made this tour good was that all the boys could finish their games and then support one another in their different codes. The local crowds and students really enjoyed the way our boys sang and supported the teams – maybe we should travel with a GK member next time! Trinity was a great host and competition for our boys who once again played their hearts out and did well. Our final surprise was a fascinating Twickenham Stadium tour, steeped in English rugby tradition, followed by an unforgettable evening at The Stoop to watch the Stormers take on Harlequins. With Old Boys Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Divan Fuller in the Stormers squad – and Jean-Claude Mars making his debut – the excitement was electric. Over a hundred Boys’ Highers filled the stands, singing throughout and turning it into a home game atmosphere. The highlight came when Jean-Claude scored a superb try right in front of his schoolmates – a perfect ending to an incredible tour! Thank you to all our parents and sponsors who made this possible for the boys, thank you to the staff on tour who always put the boys first, and thank you to Travel and Sport that always ensures a top experience. Finally, thank you to our boys in blue who were always commended for their good manners, good sportsmanship and gentlemanly behaviour. Tandem Fit Arbor Surculus.

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