Our day in the Langa Township - Sunday

After our hearty breakfast we headed to Langa - Named after Langalibaleli a Zulu Chief imprisoned on Robin Island.

It was incredibly hot and the B team were first up.

The score unfortunately was a 45-7 to Langa.

Followed by the A match 44-33 L

Dad's View of the match:  First games for both teams and all boys suffered the intense heat of the sun.  B team played better in the second half but unfortunately couldn't catch the speedy runners.
A team match was close and at half time we were winning.  All the way up to 5 minutes before the end.  Beaten by the heat and fastness of the wingers.
Better luck next time.

Sinnott/Norton View

The B team were shown in the first half by a lack of fitness and an unwillingness to make the initial tackle.  However, the second half saw some improvements a couple of good runs by Sam L and Tom J as well as a great covering tackle by Charlie D.
The A team missed a great chance to beat a side we had never beaten before.  The lead swapped hands several times and the result was in doubt until the final minute.  Lawrence marshalled the team well in draining conditions but ultimately a few individual errors proved our undoing.

After the match we went to Sheila's Shebeen - where we were treated to a sumptuous lunch of Nshima - a mixture of maize grain and potato, fragrant rice, savoury rice, pumpkin, curried vegetables, meat ball in a tomato sauce, fried chicken, and baked sweet potatoes.  The boys were also treated to some traditional music by a local band.  Even Charles LC, and Jonnie had a go.  (Pictures to follow.)

After lunch it was time for our township walking tour.  Boys were handing out sweets to all the children in the street - they were just appearing from nowhere just to get a small handful of Haribos.  Old football shirts, socks and boots were also given out and much appreciated.  We went to the local swimming baths - 1Rand entry for locals (which is roughly equivalent to 5p).  The locals were like bees round a honey pot.

As we got back on the coach I looked back to see a beautiful site - Doddy, Lawrence and George Matson holding hands with very young children, laughing and chatting.  After a few hugs and high fives we got back on the coach.

We then had a small tour by coach and then back to our hotel.

Tonight it is bowling and dinner.