7 April 2010
Coach's Diary:
The Under 20s on tour in South Africa:
After a long preparation and a long flight, we touched down in South Africa to a fantastic welcome from our host school, Hoerskool Elspark. We boarded the bus and travelled another half hour to the school where we unloaded our gear and sat down for some welcome refreshments.
Then we hit the training track with our new-found friends for a light run that consisted of a game of touch, a good stretch and then a walk through some attack plays. After showers to freshen up we sat down to a traditional South African stew (Potjiekos) which was beyond delicious, in fact was lekker (SA for very good).
We spent time in the courtyard relaxing and getting to know one another, and the boys went off with their host families, while supporters and management went to their lekker accommodation and the Lions Rest.
We spent a couple of days in Jo'burg with the host families, shopping, going out for meals and generally having a good look a round. And we celebrated BJ’s 18th at the Spur Steak House. Lekker!
On Friday the 2nd we travelled to the Wild Fig, a place out in the bush where the boys and coaches stayed for a few days for bonding sessions.
On the 4th, we moved to the Sun Down Ranch and played a scratch match against our host team, which we won 20-7.