Globetrotter Ten Plus Manager, Murray Skea recently escorted a group of the Emirates Western Force’s most valued sponsors to Cape Town for their penultimate Super 14 clash of the season against The Stormers. Here Murray shares his story with you…..

After an Amazing Race style dash from Johannesburg to Cape Town, we arrived in the Mother City to a blanket of thick cloud which completely obscured the view of majestic Table Mountain which towers high above the city. The group were treated to lunch at The Culinan Hotel, our base for the next 5 days, on arrival and immediately had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the team and management. You could feel the anticipation in the air as the boys prepared for a crack at their first ever finals berth. An orientation of the city followed, but unfortunately the thick cloud hampered our plans to enjoy the panoramic views of the area from Table Mountain and Signal Hill. A wander around Cape Town’s marvellous V&A Waterfront was a great alternative. We enjoyed dinner that evening at Sevruga Restaurant, which was a great way to kick off the tour and mingle with fellow sponsors and Force coaching and support staff.

We woke on the morning of the Captain’s Run to clear blue skies which stayed with us until our departure. The Captain’s Run at Newlands was a special occasion which few get the opportunity to experience. It was followed by a sumptuous lunch and wine tasting in the Cape Wine Region.

Free time on the day of the game enabled some of the group to get up in the cable car to take in the spectacular views from Table Mountain. Others brave enough, headed out on a Great White Shark experience to Seal Island in False Bay. It was an exhilirating experience for those involved and the sight of a 4.5 metre (it was 10 metres by the end of the tour) White Pointer cruising past our boat was breathtaking. Those who braved the cage dive, survived to tell and enhance the tale!

Unfortunately the team didn’t come away with the bonus point victory we were all hoping for, but battled hard and were unlucky to go down 25-24. The hospitality and atmosphere at the great rugby venue Newlands was excellent - hopefully one day we will have a stadium in Perth that comes close.

Sunday brought another day of fine weather to enjoy the abundance of activities Cape Town has to offer. The tour wrapped up with a African themed dinner and we were joined by Western Force coach John Mitchell for a night of bongo drums, African dancing, singing and food.