WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION MEC Cameron Dugmore will on Friday welcome back a school touring party from a successful trip down under, where an under-12 rugby team has won all of their five games against their New Zealand counterparts.

Inspired by the All Blacks Haka, the Metho Squirrel rugby team, as they have been nicknamed, had composed and performed their own version of the haka - in Xhosa - prior to every game!

Scores of excited parents, teachers, family and friends of the Somerset West Methodist School, are eagerly awaiting the tour group of 30, comprising a rugby and netball team and ten teachers. The netball team has won three of their five games.

The community and school of Somerset West have for the last three years worked hard to raise funds for the group to tour overseas. Not only did they play sport, but they also learned more about the society and culture of New Zealand and formed many networks.

They will be arriving on Friday 16 July 2004, at about 10h00, Cape Town International Airport. They departed on the 25th of last month and are looking forward to be back home with their family and loved ones, and show off their achievements.

Minister Dugmore will request the rugby team to perform the haka, SA version, for him at the airport.