Time to start planning...

SWB SPORTS & EVENTS is delighted to have been appointed one of the four sub-agents for SA Rugby Travel for next years’ British and Irish Lions Rugby tour to South Africa.

We have been very busy making plans and undertaking site visits since the dates were re-confirmed for next July - August 2021.

Just this week, South Africa went to Covid-19 Level Two and this morning informed by our Minister of Health we are now over the peak and most importantly, bars and restaurants are now open and local tourism has resumed. We believe international travel will once again commence around 15th November 2020, which again bodes well.

Over the last few weeks we undertook a road trip in KZN- Natal where we visited the Battlefields and KZN-Natal Midlands. As a result, we have secured bookings at Fugitives Drift Lodge - a five star lodge situated in the heart of the Anglo Zulu War battlefields where the famous battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift took place. The area is also steeped in Zulu – Boer War history. Internationally renowned storyteller, Rob Caskie has been engaged by us to bring to life the flagship tours to the Battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and join us around the camp fire to share various stories relating to these epic battles. Rob began sharing stories professionally in 2000, honing his unique talent for storytelling on the Anglo Zulu War battlefields. Rob brings the drama of the Battlefields to life and has led to international speaking engagements for him.

We then moved on to the KZN-Natal Midlands to the leafy, tranquil farming village of Nottingham Road here we have booked accommodation for two nights to relax where the guys can enjoy some golf and clay pigeon shooting while the ladies have the opportunity to relax at the beautiful Fordoun Spa and spend some time browsing the Midlands Meander for the day. The evenings will be spent around the warm and cosy bar at the legendary Nottingham Road Hotel where we will be staying.

The above package can be booked as a complete tour or individual segments where we will depart from Johannesburg on the Sunday after the First Test in Soweto with two nights in the Battlefields and two nights in the KZN-Natal Midlands. On the Thursday afternoon we will fly from Durban International Airport to Cape Town for the Second Test.

This week I am visiting Cape Town where we have various Three, Four and Five Star, three and four night packages available through SA Rugby Travel. Please advise us soonest on your accommodation requirements in Cape Town as it is very much in short supply during this period and we would advise you book soonest.

We have also secured accommodation in Hermanus the week following the Second Test in Cape Town. Hermanus is a very pretty little coastal town, two hours outside of Cape Town with the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Wine Route on its doorstep. Some of South Africa’s best wines are produced here and our guest will be able to visit various wine farms in this area via The Land Rover stop and go Tour at your leisure. It will also be the beginning of whale season and we will be offering a morning whale watching boat trips to see the almighty Southern Right whales at play in the bay. There are various delightful restaurants and bars in Hermanus, as well as golf and coastal cliff walks on offer. Once again, the ladies can enjoy some retail therapy in the village or book a pamper session at one of the many Spa’s in the area. Alternatively, you can simply relax in your hotel or at one of the local bars over looking the ocean as the whales ‘perform’ in Walker Bay…..Eating fresh fish on the rocks at the magnificent Bientang’s Cave – a seafood restaurant set in a cave, with terraces on the rocks above the ocean, known for whales, is also an option.

SWB SPORTS & EVENTS also has various options when it comes to going on an African Safari. Packages are available to the Kruger National Park and surrounding area at either the basic Rondavel camp accommodation or at Five Star Bush Lodges for two or three nights.

For the more adventurous, an option also exists to consider a three night package to a Lodge situated on a tributary of the great Zambezi River in Zambia. From here, you will be able to experience the majestic Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You may even think about a day trip to Zimbabwe to enjoy a G &T at the famous Victoria Falls Hotel with a walk over the Victoria Falls Bridge, or a beautiful Sunset Booze Cruise on the Zambezi or perhaps an early morning or sunset Safari Drive. White Water Rafting down the Zambezi and a micro light trip over the Victoria Falls are also all on offer for the truly adventurous travellers!

In Johannesburg, we have secured several, trendy Roof Top Bars in the City Of Gold. Day trips to Soweto, The Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Hill and Gold Reef City, as well as the Pilanesberg Game Reserve near Sun City, can also be arranged. For enthusiastic golfers, a round of golf at the Gary Player Golf Club at Sun City is also an option.

We are holding various three and four night accommodation packages for the First and Third Test in Johannesburg at several hotels in the city through SA Rugby Travel.

Finally… what I guess you all want to hear about is availability of tickets!

To secure your tickets, I do advise you enter the ticket ballots in either the UK - www.lionsrugby.com or South Africa – www.tickets.lionstour2021.co.za

You need to register before the 2nd September 2020 when the Ballots open. The ticket Ballots close on 16 September 2020.

Ticket categories and prices are as follows:

CAT A: R3 000 CAT B: R2 000 CAT C: R1 250 CAT D: R500

HOSPITALITY VIEWING SUITES: R10 000

ACCOMODATION PACKAGES WITH US AND SA RUGY TRAVEL WILL INCLUDE MATCH TICKETS HOWEVER IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND SWB SPORTS & EVENTS WILL NOT BE DOING TICKET ONLY HOWEVER WILL ALSO OFFER TICKET IF PURCHASE ONE OF OUR EXCURSIONS OR PRE MATCH HOSPITALITY PACKAGES.

Pre-match entertainment will take place ahead of both the First and Third Tests at The Pirates Club in Greenside as well as various trendy Roof Top Bars in Johannesburg with Chaf Ponzi Restaurant situated at the Cooling Towers, Soweto, on the cards ahead of the First Test.

On the Friday ahead of the First Test in Soweto, Pirates Club will be hosting a Sportsman’s Lunch followed by a Pirates Invitational 15 match and festivities.

SWB SPORTS will keep you advised on Pre match in Cape Town for the second Test.

On the Friday ahead of the Third and Final Test at Emirates Park in Johannesburg, we have negotiated and are awaiting final confirmation on a SA Rugby Legends vs British & Irish Rugby Legends match, following a Legends Sportsman’s Lunch at Pirates Club, with various international and local guest speakers.

All of this can be found on our website from 1st September 2020.

SWB SPORTS & EVENTS will be able to offer you whatever you require to make your visit to South Africa a memorable one - full of experiences and making memories, whether it is drinking a pint with fellow friends and rugby supporters at The Pirates Rugby Club, a close-up siting of a Lion in one of the many Game Reserves, the experiencing the memory of what the British Troops endured in the Anglo Zulu Wars in the KZN-Natal Battlefields, or witnessing the Southern Right whales at play in Walker Bay, Hermanus – we will not disappoint you!

You really can’t afford to miss this tour… please contact us today to discuss your requirements.

STEVE