Rugby Union

The day had a more relaxed start due to yesterday’s intense training session with a latish breakfast and team meeting at 10:15. First on the agenda was the traditional signing of the host nation's flag by all the touring party, which will eventually be displayed with pride at Norwich School. The rest of the meeting was a more serious affair with subjects like attitude, discipline, commitment, desire and team spirit being discussed ahead of the first tour fixture. Once the meeting concluded the boys were free to relax and enjoy some free time. The odd one or two decided to take a dip in a very cold pool but didn’t stand it for long, but most headed down to the beach front to take part in a very serious game of score card crazy golf, results to follow. The team departed the hotel at 13:00 for the 45 minute picturesque drive across the north part of Cape Town to the township of Kasselsvlei. All touring teams that travel to South Africa must play a township team and Kasselsvlei are one of the best not losing more than a couple of matches over the last number of years. As the coach approached the school the landscape changed dramatically with the large houses giving way to far smaller more humble dwellings, making the atmosphere a little uncomfortable due to new and before unseen surroundings. Just before arrival a rousing rendition of Jerusalem was belted out by the whole squad lifting the team’s morale. There was an unusual silence as the boys entered the school due to the unfamiliar surroundings but once the hand of welcome had been offered everybody started to relax. The local children were eager to get to know and get involved with Norwich and to the boy’s credit they all played ball.