Tour Diary – Arrival In Cape Town
A musical welcome, a run-out in Cape Town, a swim in the ocean and a mishap for Donnacha Ryan and Ultan Dillane – all on day one in South Africa.
Cape Town is as warm as Ireland was over the Bank Holiday weekend so it didn’t take long to adjust to the climate – albeit it is winter here!
There was an amazing African welcome for the lads as they arrived at the team hotel in Cape Town. Jamie Heaslip gives us a sample with this video on Twitter:
Welcome to South Africa pic.twitter.com/PMuU2tHEGa
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) June 6, 2016
Following a short rest and a team meeting, it was over to Cape Town Stadium and a chance to stretch the legs and just have a run out with ball in hand.
Walk through for the lads at Cape Town stadium. #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/jZh0RnFOul
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 6, 2016
Strength & conditioning coach Jason Cowman had also included a water recovery session so it was on to the seafront and a quick dip in the sea which gave us this great shot of Devin Toner by Billy Stickland of Inpho.
Runner Up for Pic of The Day: @DevinToner4 taking a dip at the Waterfront in Cape Town #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/ZMzspCyO6J
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 6, 2016
Donnacha Ryan and Ultan Dillane tried their hand in a canoe and the inevitable happened. Luckily some of the other lads are ‘Bondi Rescue’ fans and got them back afloat!
Then it was back to the hotel for dinner, and time for some rest and recovery.