South Africa Tour 2026

It has been another brilliant adventure for our pupils as they headed to South Africa for the 2026 Hockey and Rugby Tour.

With over 90 pupils and 13 staff members in attendance, the itinerary was packed full of exciting hockey and rugby fixtures, exploring famous sites and giving back to the local community.

After arriving in Cape Town, the tour started with special training and coaching sessions at the renowned Stellenbosch University’s Maties Hockey and Rugby facilities used by many of South Africa’s leading Rugby and Hockey players. The coaching sessions offered fantastic insight into different styles and tactical skills.

Pupils then headed to the Stellenbosch Mountains for a Scootours Adventure, descending the mountain trails on specially designed gravity scooters and enjoying the scenic landscape.

The tour also offered brilliant first-time experiences. Taking to the waves at Muizenberg Beach, one of South Africa’s most famous surfing destinations, for a surfing lesson followed by a traditional fish and chips seaside lunch.

Their Safari experience at Garden Route Game Lodges included both a sunrise and a sunset drive, looking for the country’s most famous wildlife, getting extra lucky with their tour. They managed to spot elephants, zebra, cheetahs, lions, buffalo and hippos.

Alistair (S6) shared;

“I had an incredible time in South Africa. We played matches and socialised with our opposition and took part in different activities such as surfing and the safari. It was a great experience that allowed me to make new friends, create unforgettable memories and experience a completely different culture.”

The exploring did not stop there, as the Rugby boys took to sea kayaking in Cape Town, paddling along the Atlantic coastline, admiring Table Mountain and the city skyline, before getting to explore the city itself.

They also got the opportunity of a lifetime by securing tickets for Stormers v All Blacks at the DHL Stadium. However, a chance meeting with the President of SA Rugby meant pupils were invited to the President’s Suite to enjoy hospitality and mingle with the All Blacks players who weren’t playing that night.

The Hockey Girls and Boys took a tour around the Western Cape’s most scenic excursion. They travelled along Hout Bay, visiting Seal Island and Boulders Beach to see the famous African penguin colony, experiencing some of South Africa’s most iconic wildlife and scenery. They also travelled to Hermanus, one of the world’s most famous whale watching destinations, before finally taking a cable car to the summit of Table Mountain.

However, the experience which stood out the most to pupils and staff was the opportunity to volunteer with Inspire Children & Youth charity. The charity provides safe spaces, meals, homework support, and healthcare projects to help young people in the surrounding farm areas thrive in their challenging circumstances.

The pupils participated in various tasks throughout their visit as well as engaging with local children the charity supports, learning South African songs and teaching the children some Scottish ceilidh dances. The opportunity offered a special insight into the importance of giving back to your community, and the connection pupils formed with the children, are memories they shall never forget.

Madi (S5) commented;

“My favourite day in South Africa was the charity day with the children because it made me realise how fortunate we are.”

In between their activities and volunteering, the tour also included various sets of Hockey and Rugby fixtures, which opened opportunities to socialise with the South African students from the competing teams and gain international playing experience.

The Hockey Boys’ and Girls’ teams faced strong South African opposition across four fixtures against Somerset College, Parklands High School, Pinelands High School and Durbanville Hockey Club.

The Hockey Boys enjoyed a successful start to their fixtures, securing impressive 3-2 and 3-1 victories against Somerset College and Parklands High School respectively. Although they were unable to maintain their winning run against Pinelands High School, the boys had the added opportunity to watch a Western Province match, featuring five international men’s hockey players, before they headed off to the World Cup. The boys rounded off their fixtures with an exciting 3-3 draw against Durbanville Hockey Club.

Max (S6) said;

“South Africa was the experience of a lifetime. I was able to see a new culture and help the community all while playing the sport I loved. My highlight of the trip was socialising with the opposition after games and trading kits with them.”

The Hockey Girls also took on strong opposition throughout their fixtures, producing some exciting and competitive matches and showing great determination across their games.

The Rugby Boys likewise had the opportunity to compete against three well-regarded South African rugby schools. In their opening fixture against Cloetesville High School, the A Team secured a narrow 26-24 victory in a closely contested match. The squad then faced Paul Roos Gimnasium, a school renowned internationally for its rugby pedigree and history of producing elite players, providing a valuable and exciting challenge for our players. Their final fixture was against Strand High School, offering another tough test and a further opportunity for the boys to put their skills into practice.

Our pupils commented on how much fun they had during the trip.

Alyssa (S5) said;

“I really enjoyed my time in South Africa. I thought all of the experiences were very fun and eye-opening, and I especially enjoyed the safari. I am so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful trip.”

Hamish (S6) added;

“My favourite thing about South Africa was making friends with the other team; they made me feel welcome and showed really kind sportsmanship.”

The 2026 South Africa tour was a truly unforgettable experience and not only offered exciting hockey and rugby opportunities but also chances to experience South Africa and volunteer with local communities, creating experiences our pupils will never forget.

One parent also said,

“Trip of a lifetime. They had an awesome time. Well done to all the staff who went and supported them and ensured they could enjoy this amazing experience.”

The Hutchesons’ Grammar PE department commented,

“The South Africa tour has been another outstanding success, with highlights including the charity day and unforgettable wildlife experiences. Providing opportunities like these for our pupils is incredibly special, and we are delighted with the experience.”

Thank you to our PE department for creating such a fantastic experience for our pupils – one that won’t be forgotten.