A two-week hockey tour to South Africa provided Marlborough’s Development XI and First XI with an unforgettable combination of competitive hockey, cultural experiences and wildlife adventures, as the squads travelled from Durban to Cape Town in preparation for the forthcoming season.
Following a long overnight flight, the group arrived in Umhlanga, where their first taste of South African cuisine coincided with locals gathering to watch the World Cup final. After a welcome night’s sleep, the squads headed to Riverside Club in Durban for their first training session, before enjoying some well-earned recovery time on the beach.
The tour’s first fixtures followed a visit to Phezulu Safari Park, where the girls learnt about Zulu culture, traditions and dance, and encountered alligators and venomous snakes. The Development XI, nicknamed ‘The Devils’, opened their campaign with a hard-fought draw against Durban Girls’ College, while the First XI dominated much of their match but conceded late goals to lose 2-1.
A visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board provided fascinating insight into local shark species and the organisation’s work to mitigate shark attacks. The squads then travelled to St John’s Diocesan for their second fixtures. The Devils secured another draw after an impressive first-half performance, while the First XI suffered another late defeat in an otherwise evenly contested match.
Thursday brought an exhilarating treetop zipwire adventure before the third fixtures against The Wykeham Collegiate. The Devils finally secured their first victory, winning 1-0 to complete an undefeated week in Durban. The First XI also produced an excellent performance, overcoming enthusiastic opposition and choreographed cheers to claim a 2-1 win.
With the Durban fixtures complete, the group headed to Hluhluwe Game Reserve for three game drives across 48 hours. The girls were rewarded with sightings of the Big Five, alongside cheetahs and impala, making early morning departures considerably easier to embrace!
The second week began in Stellenbosch, following a flight to Cape Town. A cheetah encounter at an outreach sanctuary and a surfing lesson provided memorable experiences before the squads faced Bloemhof. Despite a challenging 4-0 defeat for the Devils, the First XI produced a determined performance, holding their opponents to 1-1 until a late goal secured Bloemhof’s victory.
The next fixtures against Herschel Girls School saw the First XI deliver their best hockey of the tour, earning an impressive 2-1 win. The Devils faced a tougher challenge, losing 6-0, but continued to demonstrate resilience and determination.
The final matches took place at St Cyprian’s, beneath the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain. The Devils finished their tour in style with a 1-0 victory, while the First XI narrowly lost 2-1 after another closely contested performance. Both teams gained valuable experience against high-level opposition, with the First XI competing evenly throughout the tour.
Beyond hockey, a visit to Robben Island offered a powerful opportunity to learn about colonialism and apartheid. Meeting a former political prisoner, who shared experiences of his fight against oppression at an age similar to the Marlborough pupils, proved particularly moving.
The tour concluded with an evening of African drumming, traditional cuisine and cultural dancing at Gold’s Restaurant. The inaugural ‘Tuskars’ celebrated some of the tour’s standout moments, although every girl deserved recognition for her contribution both on and off the pitch.
From competitive hockey to extraordinary wildlife encounters, the tour provided lasting friendships, new perspectives and memories that will remain with the squad long after their return home.
Andrew Cantoni Oxburgh
Religious Studies and Philosophy Department
