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NSW Country Schools Tour of South Africa - 2008

• Itinerary

Match Reports

• Blue Heelers v Malaysia Colts

• Blue Heelers v Hans Strjdom 2ndXV

• Blue Heelers v Willem Boshoff Invitation XV

• Blue Heelers v Hans Strijdom HS

• Blue Heelers v Blue Bulls Dev XV

• Blue Heelers v Paul Roos Gymnasium Inv XV

Blue Heelers v Malaysia Colts

A committed NSW Country Schools Development squad opened their Malaysian-South African tour with a much deserved 17-11 victory over the Malaysian U21 National side.

The young Blue Heelers side, despite a lack of preparation, spread the ball from the opening whistle and created several scoring opportunities.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a penalty goal and were disrupting the visitors attack with physical exchanges.

Following sustained pressure, hooker Chris Edwards notched the first try of the tour. A Jak Howard conversion had the Blue Heelers in front 7-3.

The greasy conditions forced many handling errors and with moments of ill-discipline Country were under the pump on their own line.

Once pressure had been relieved and field position regained tough backrower capitalised on excellent phase ball to plunge over adjacent to the posts in the 25th minute. Fullback Kyle James added the extras and NSW Country led 14-3 and threatened to put the game beyond their hosts.

After the break the Malaysian side excited their supporters by posting a try to bring themselves back into the game.

At 14-8 the match took on a new complexion as the local National side poured on attacking pressure. To the delight of coach Mark O'Neill the Country boys raised the bar and countered any attacking raids with committed defence.

Frustration in not being able to breach the Country line saw the locals opt for a drop goal to bring the score back to 14-11 with five minutes remaining.

Several last minute raids from the Country boys were nullified by the locals before Jak Howard sealed victory with a late penalty goal.

For the Country boys and their supporters it was a pleasing victory and a huge boost of confidence for the South African leg.

John Birrell and Tim Metcher were standouts for NSW Country in the forwards while Tim Williams and Charlie Lockyer were a handful in the mid field.

The Malaysian Rugby Union and Selangor Sports Club were fantastic hosts and appreciated the enthusiasm of their 80 odd guests, especially Tour Manager Matt 'Bear Hug' Evans.

The overall Malaysian experience including oppressive heat, lightning, dodgy training fields and tests of patience was one that wont be forgotten easily.

The squad departed fro Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday morning to embark on their five match tour of South Africa and no doubt a more intensive level of Rugby.

A few photos from the tour group's brief Malaysian stay will be posted on this web page shortly.

Tour Match 2

NSW Country Schools Blue Heelers v Hans Strijdom 2nd XV

In beautiful sunny conditions in front of an enthusiastic crowd in excess of 500 people, the NSW Country Schools Development squad recorded their second tour victory with a 31-5 defeat of the Hans Strijdom 2nd XV.

The Blue Heelers again created several try scoring opportunities early by spreading the ball wide into space only to see the last pass go to ground.

In the 10th minute workhorse lock Lewis Crowthers opened the scoring with a well deserved try. Eight minutes later an airborn Noel Franco took four defenders with him in a determined effort to post the second five pointer. Kyle James slotted the conversion for a 12-0 halftime advantage.

Four minutes into the second half centre Tim Williams showed electrifying speed to leave six defenders in his wake on a 75 metre burst to the line. Flyhalf Jack Howard converted
to extend the lead to 19-0.

The local school side were starting to feel the physical exchanges of the Blue Heeler forwards and it was only a matter of time before winger Dominic Roche finished off an attacking raid to take the score to 24-0.

The local Hans Stridjom 2nd XV were rewarded for their tenacity with a chargedown try 10 minutes from fulltime. Man of the Match Cameron 'Gnome' Kesby notched the final try to seal a 31-5 victory with the Kyle James conversion.

For the Blue Heelers Kesby was outstanding in contact and at pilfering opposition ball. He was backed up by lock Richard Graham who dominated at the lineout and was heavily involved in general play.

In the backs Kyle James showed glimpses of brilliance while Dominic Roche was his typical steady self, taking advantage of limited opportunities.

The NSW Country boys adapted very well to the ELV's used throughout the match and went into the following match full of confidence.

Tour Match 3

NSW Country Blue Heelers v Willem Boshoff Selection XV

The Blue Heelers third tour match saw them oppose an extremely strong representative side from surrounding schools in the Naboomspruitt region. The local team was selected in honour of local Rugby legend Willem Boshoff who passed away in late 2007.

NSW Country carried on their dominance in game 2 to pour on enormous pressure and dominate the early forward battle. How ever against the run of play in the sixth minute the Willem Boshoff side crossed under the posts to take a 7-0 lead.

NSW Country struggled to resist the attacking momentum of the locals and four minutes later went further behind 14-0. To their credit the Blue Heelers aimed up in all facets and were unlucky not to put points on the board before halftime.

The game had the supporters enthralled as both teams threw everything at each other in a fast but physical spectacle. In field the second stanza NSW Country rectified their first half ill-discipline to dominate field position and possession. However the elusive try didn't come that would have brought them right back into the match.

In the 48th minute the Willem Boshoff side touch down and converted to take the score to 21-0. This again sparked the Blue Heelers into gear as they posted their first points through a try to consistent winger Dominic Roche. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving the score 21-5.

With time almost up the local side ran in a final try for a 26-5 lead before captain and Man of the Match Tim Metcher posted a late try for a final score of 26-10.

The Willem Boshoff side thoroughly deserved their win but NSW Country earned the respect of the local tragics with their courage and skill.

Apart from Metcher hooker Chris Edwards was outstanding along with front row partner Randall Parmenter. In the backs winger Ben Coombes and utility back Cameron Britten made positive contributions.

The Blue Heeler take on the Hans Stridjom 1st XV in Game 4 in two days time.

Tour Match 4

NSW Country Blue Heelers v Hans Strijdom 1st XV

After a lethargic first half performance by the team the Blue heelers found themselves trailing 7-15 with 4 minutes of play remaining. After some inspiring play by a number of players led by Ben Fernie, the team rallied scoring 2 converted tries to take the match 21-15.

After the match our Naboomsruit hosts treated the team to an unforgettable dinner at Tzekama where the group was "wine and dined" in the mother of all lapas.

A detailed match report will be posted soon

Tour Match 5

NSW Country Blue Heelers v Blue Bulls Dev XV

As a result of the 2007 Super 14 champions poor performances in 2008 which has them floundering at the bottom of the ladder, there was always going to be small crowd at Loftus. In fact less than 14000 were present for the main game between the Blue Bulls and the Highlanders and a lot less when the Blue Heelers took the field as the main curtain raiser.

The Blue Bulls Dev XV were supposed to be a team of U18 players chosen from various clubs in and around Pretoria. All major rugby schools in Pretoria had playing commitments on the day so players from these schools were not eligible. As it turned out the opposition was a powerful team, bolstered by a few older players who had a very large impact on the result of the game.

The Blue Heelers were well beaten 53-12 but a number of players stood tall and carried the fight right to the end. In fact, in what has become a feature of the Country boys' performances, they again finished stronger than their opponents and scored a great try in the dying stages of the match.

A detailed report of this match will also be posted soon.

Tour Match 6

NSW Country Blue Heelers v Paul Roos 2nd XV

No report has yet been received for this match.

ITINERARY

Day 1 .... Thu 10 April

Brisbane / Kuala Lumpah

Members of the Tour group will have the option of flying out of Brisbane or Sydney

Depart Sydney MH140 SYD/BNE 2120/2250

Depart Brisbane MH140 BNE/KUL 2355/0610 (next day)

(Flight time approx 8 hrs)

Meal inclusions - Meals in flight

Day 2 .... Fri 11 April

Kuala Lumpah

Arrive KL at 05.55 am

Travel by coach into KL and check into the Dorset hotel for an overnight stay. Check into your rooms before enjoying a Malaysian buffet breakfast on the second floor of the Dorset.

10.30 am 2 hour guided bus tour of Kuala Lulpar.

Afternoon free to relax, enjoy the facilities of the hotel and/or wander the fabulous nearby shopping district.

Optional - Dinner at at Starhill which is a world class restaurant complex next door to the Dorset

Meal inclusions - Breakfast at the Dorset / OA for meals throughout the day

Day 3 .... Sat 12 April

Kuala Lumpah / In Flight

Breakfast at the Dorset. Boys to have a big breakfast so that a light lunch snack will suffice before the game.

PM - match against the Malaysian National U19 team... confirmed

Tour Match 1 v Malaysian Colts

Post match hospitality. A coach will be arranged to take the group to and from the match.

Return to the Dorset to clean up, pick up luggage, eat if necessary and relax before transferring to the airport.

10.00 pm Transfer to the International airport

Depart KL for Johannesburg MH201 KUL/JNB 0105/0540* (next day)

(This is a 10 hr overnight flight)

Meal inclusions - Breakfast at the Dorset

Day 4 .... Sun 13 April

Johannesburg / Naboomspruit

Arrive Oliver Tambo Int (JHB) at 05:25 and transfer by coach to Naboomspruit (200 km) stopping off at the Petroport for an optional “extra” breakfast along the way .. 1 hour from the airport.

The players and coaching staff will stop off at Hans Strijdom High School for light training and to familiarise themselves with the ground. Supporter group will continue on to their accomodation at the Die Oog Hot Water Springs holiday resort ( http://www.dieoog.co.za/ ). Accommodation in chalets. The resort is adjacent to Serolo nature reserve which has a number of hiking trails: 1hr, 2,5 hrs and 4 hours. On these hiking trails are enclosures from where you can view game and birds. Other activities include hot spring water and cold water swimming pools, tennis courts, quad bikes, mountain bikes and archery.

Meal inclusions - Supper& breakfast in flight, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 .... Mon 14 April

Naboomspruit

7.00 am Breakfast at the Resort

8.00 am Transfer by coach to the Entabeni Game Reserve and Golf Resort. Players to bring training gear Entabeni is in the development stage and when finished at a cost 3.5 billion Rand will be on eof the finest in Africa. The game reserve features the “Big 5” and the 18 hole golf course when completed in April 2009 will be the longest in the world at over 7,200 meters. The 19th hole is optional. Players pay $100 to be taken by helicopter to a mountain top tee box and hit to a green below in the shape of the African continent. Any lucky person to have a hole in one wins a million dollars US!

12.30 pm Lunch at Entabeni

2.45 pm Return to Die Oog Hot Water Springs holiday resort at leisure for early supper. The players and coaching staff will first stop off at Hans Strijdom for training.

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 .... Tue 15 April

Naboomspruit

7.30 am Breakfast at the resort. Remainder of the morning for relaxing and leisure activities.

11.30 am Lunch at the resort.

1.00 pm Transfer to Hans Strijdom for the team's first tour matches

2.15 pm Tour Match 2A v High School Piet Potgieters

3.45 pm Tour Match 2B v The Willem Boshoff Invitation XV

After the matches the tour party will experience the unique hospitality of the Naboom/Hans Strijdom rugby fraternity in the school Lapa. Bring along your best singing voices!

Meal inclusions - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

-2-

Day 7 .... Wed 16

Naboomspruit / Euphoria / Naboomspruit

8.00-9.00 am Breakfast

Free day for the player group to enjoy all the facilities of Die Oog Hot Water Springs.

10.00 am Supporter Group (plus any others interested) transfers to Euphoria. Euphoria is yet another game park/golf estate that is being developed by one of our friends from Naboomspruit – Faan Erasmus. Euphoria is only costing a modest R300 million and this short tour of the development is full of interest. Those who fancy some golf will be able to play a few of the new holes opened especially for our group. The 18th is a monster 600m par 5. Clubs will be provided. Lunch at Euphoria

Meal inclusions - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 .... Thurs 17 April

Naboomspruit

Breakfast at the resort. Remainder of the morning for relaxing and leisure activities.

Optional excursion. Elardus Erasmus (yet another good friend from Naboom) is breeding Australian emus and hopes to have the largest emu oil production operation in South Africa. Numbers for this no cost short excursion will be obtained when we first arrive in Naboom. Lunch at Die Oog Hot Water Springs.

1.30pm - Transfer to Hans Strijdom for the team's second tour match which will kick-off at 3.00pm

Tour Match 3 v Hans Strijdom 1st XV

After match reception at the Tsekama Game Reserve which is a 40 minute drive from the school. The facility where you will be having dinner is quite unique and hosts weddings and other functions where guests regularly come from America and all parts of Europe. The supporter group will leave immediately after the match. The player group will depart a little later after showering and enjoying a cold drink with the lads from Hans Strijdom. The Blue Heelers will need a second song!

Meal inclusions - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 .... Fri 18 April

Naboomspruit / Kwalata

8.00 am Breakfast

Supporter group

10.30 am Depart for Kwalata Game Lodge ( http://www.kwalata.co.za ) luxury game lodge 50 km from Pretoria where you will have a 2 night stay. The lodge is part of the Dinokeng 60,000 ha wildlife park developed in partnership between the Provincial Government and private game farm owners. Here you can experience an extraordinary outing with the elephants TEMBO and MABITSI, two wonderful characters who love human company. After check in you will be greeted as a group with drinks and some finger food and the facilities at Kwalata wil be explained by staff from the lodge. There will be a visit by sangomas (fortune tellers) unwinding the future while dolosse (bones) are thrown.

3.30 pm Tambo and Mabitsi will be along to meet you at the entry gates to Kwalata (30 minutes)

4.30 pm African dancers

6.00 pm Transfer to the renowned Pachas restaurant in Pretoria for dinner. Return at the group's leisure

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, Lunch

Player group

10.30 am Depart for Pro-Act Ventures which is 5 km from Kwalata. Numerous supervised activities will be available to the players including abseiling,rock climbing, archery, mountain bikes, kayaking, horse riding and high ropes . In addition, training facilities at a nearby high school are available in order to prepare for the following day's matches.

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 .... Sat 19 April

Kwalata and Pro-Act Ventures / Pretoria

7.00 am Players have a substantial breakfast so that lunch can be light.

8.00 am Both groups depart for Tukkies University in Pretoria for the first of 2 matches

9.30 am Tour Match 4B v Blue Bulls Youth Club XV

After the match there will be refreshments for the players and the tour group. During the short after match festivities, Andre Venter (legendary former Spriingbok currently wheel chair bound as a result of a virus) will address both teams before the whole group transfers to Loftus Versfield

01.30 pm Tour Match 4B v Blue Bulls Schools Invitation XV

The match is the main curtain raiser to the S14 match between the Blue Bulls and the Highlanders which will kick off at 3.00 pm. After the match the group will return to the Tukkies lapa for a reception and dinner with your opponents of the day.

7.30 pm Return to your accommodation

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11.... Sun 20 April

Pretoria / Capetown / Strand

8.00-9.00 am Breakfast

10.00 am Depart by coach for the Voortrekker Monument and along the way enjoy a tour of Pretoria and some shopping at Menlyn Shopping Centre, one of the largest in South Africa. Shopping in SA is cheaper than most Asian capitals at the moment and goods purchased there are of high quality. Pretoria is the political capital of South Africa. Don't each much because a culinary treat awaits a little later

The Voortrekker Monument was built in honour of the Voortrekkers (Pioneers) who left the Cape Colony in their thousands between 1835 and 1854. Two elements make it a sight worth visiting. The unique marble frieze is an intrinsic part of the design – in bas-relief 27 panels depict the story of he Great Trek. The Frieze does not only show the history of the Great Trek, but also depicts every day life, work methods, religious beliefs and the way of life of the Voortrekkers. The central focus point of the Monument is the Cenotaph. On top of the Hall of Heroes is an arch from where one can view the interior of the monument. It is through an opening in the arch that the sun shines at twelve o'clock on 16 December each year onto the middle of the cenotaph and the words “We for thee, South Africa

1.30 Lunch at the monument. The lunch is an 80 item buffet which was highly rated by the 2003 NSW Country Cockatoos tour group, especially the those who virtually worked through every item on the menu!

Depart for Cape Town late afternoon. SA359 1730/1940 (61pax) & SA363 1800/2110 (24pax)

Arrive Cape Town and transfer by coach to The Cape Suites Hotel (self contained unit accommodation) in The Strand - 40 km from airport. The Holiday Resort is 500m from the beach and walking distance from a large shopping centre. A meal will be served on the plane and after the buffet lunch it is doubtful that anyone would be all that anxious for dinner.

Meal inclusions - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 .... Mon 21 April

Strand / Cape Town / Cape Point / Simonstown / Strand

Visit Table Mountain ( http://www.tablemountain.net/ )Your ascent to the top (1085 m) takes just under 10 minutes and offers you a 360 degree view of the city. The cable car was imported from Switzerland and there are only 2 other such cable cars in the world, one in Titlis in the Swiss Alps and one in Palm Springs in the USA. The best views of Cape Town are seen from the top of Table Mountain. Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant on Table Mountain and have a “walkabout” to see some of the 1500 species of plants (roughly the same number as are found throughout the entire British Isles).

Guided tour by luxury coach via Chapman's Peak which gives you spectacular views of Houtbay fishing harbour. Drive on to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site, for stunning views of where the cold Benguella current on the West coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East coast merge. Cape point itself may be the most spectacular feature of the entire African coast. Jutting like a rocky knife into the Atlantic Ocean, its sheer cliffs plunge 200m into a churning white sea. The old lighthouse provides panoramic views of the point and both coast lines. The walk up to the lighthouse is a steep one. There is a funicular (small tram) that'll take you to the top in 3 minutes for a small fee.The new lighthouse is further along the point – the walk is quite long but the views are rewarding throughout. It's beam shines for 63km to warn ships of the danger presented by the treacherous Cape Point . Have lunch at the Two Oceans restaurant. Set into the cliffs high above the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula the restaurant has a spectacular view over False Bay. Here you can enjoy an Aussie Foster's!! Drive via Simonstown (SA Navy base) back to holiday resort in The Strand.

Meal inclusions – Breakfast

Day 13 .... Tue 22 April

Capetown

Morning at leisure. Team and venue to be decided

Tour Match 5 v Paul Roos Gymnasium Invitation XV (mixture of 1st & 2nds)

Meal inclusions - Breakfast

Day 14 .... Wed 23 April

Strand / Stellenbosch / Capetown / Strand (Free Day)

Drive to Stellenbosch and visit Spier Estate for an unforgettable buffet with a strong Cape influence of Malay style dishes. Spier has made land available to a group of hand – raised cheetahs. Learn more about these incredible cats from a distance, or get up close and personal and even step inside the enclosure.

At Spier you can also visit the Eagle Encounters bird of prey rehabilitation, education, conservation and eco-tourism center.

After lunch drive around Cape Town CBD and Malayan Quarters. Spend rest of day at V&A Waterfront for last shopping and visiting a cinema, aquarium and a wide selection of restaurants.

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15 .... Thu 24 April

Capetown / Johannesburg / Kuala Lumpah / Sydney

Depart Cape Town International for Oliver Tambo Int (JHB) at 10:45.

MH202 CPT/JNB 1015/1240

2JNB/KUL 1410/0540* (next day)

Meal inclusions – Breakfast, remainder of Meals in flight

Day 16 .... Fri 25 April

Kuala Lumpah / Sydney

MH141 KUL/ SYD 1000/1950

Arrive Kuala Lumpur at 06:20 am. Depart KL at 10.00 am and arrive in Sydney 7.50 pm

Those going through to Brisbane will disembark and reboard MH141 an hour and a half later for the final leg to Brisbane arriving at 10.45 pm

Meals in flight

INCLUSIONS

Airfares

• International airfares including all taxes with Malaysian Airlines

• Domestic airfare including taxes with SAA for the flight from Johannesburg to Capetown

Kuala Lumpuh

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast at the Dorset Hotel in KL

• Airport transfers to and from the Dorset

• 2 hour city tour of KL

• Return transfer to the match against the Malaysian National U19 team

South Africa

• All airport transfers

• All coach transport as per the itinerary

• 5 nights accommodation at the Die Oog Hot Water Springs Holiday Resort (ALL meals included)

• Entry fees to Entabene Game Lodge .. includes game drive, lunch and game drive refreshments.

• Dinner at Tsekama game Lodge after the match on Day 8

• 2 nights accommodation at the Kwalata Game Resort for Supporter Group (meals as per itinerary)

• 2 nights accommodation and activities at Pro-Act Ventures for the Player Group. (ALL meals included)

• Tickets for all members of the tour group to the S14 match at Loftus on the Sat 19th April

• 4 nights accommodation at the Best Western Cape Suites Hotel. (meals as per itinerary)

• Coach tour with guide to the Strand, Cape Point, Simonstown and Chapman's peak (Day11)

• Tickets for the cable car to the top of Table Mountain

• Coach tour with guide to Stellenbosh and the Malayan Quarters of Capetown (Day12)

• Buffet lunch at Spiers Winery

Tour Guide

• Barry Honan will accompany the group until Fri 18 th April

• In Gauteng Mr Matthys Boshoff from Pretoria together with Mr Bart Heyneke , Mr Moritz Hansen, Mr Marius Dickenson and Mr Elardus Dickinson from Naboomspruit will be your tour guides.

• Name of tour guide for the Capetown sector yet to be provided

Contact Details

Barry Honan

Mob (international) +61 (0)412104648

Email barry@world-sport.com.au

Mob (local) ..........................

Mark O'Neill

Mob (International) +61 (0)414419218

Matthys Boshoff

Mob (local) 082 323 6358

Dorsett Hotel (KL)

Tel +603 2715 1000