Springboks offsiders take time to enjoy treasure trove of activities

TRAVELLING IN STYLE: Springboks management arrive at Matiatia to enjoy a day on Waiheke.

While the Springboks were busy training ahead of the weekend's Tri-Nations clash against the All Blacks, a group of the team's wives, girlfriends and management arrived on Waiheke for a day of tours, treasure hunts and cuisine.

Arriving on the luxury yacht Nirvana, the visitors, including coach Peter de Villiers, rented cars and scooters from Waiheke Auto Rentals for a treasure hunt around the island. They were spotted an hour later digging in the sand at Onetangi Beach.

Clutching balls, and buckets and spades they then took off again amid howls of laughter.

The trip, organised by Tourism Auckland, included a visit to Azzuro Groves on the Te Whau Peninsula where they tried the olive oils and checked out the products produced by the grove's herd of alpaca.

Next on the tour was a meal at award-winning Cable Bay Vineyards restaurant with views over the water to Auckland where, on Saturday evening, the Springboks lost 12-32 to the All Blacks in the first Tri-Nations game of 2010.

The trip to Waiheke was scheduled for earlier in the week with team members Schalk Berger, captain Victor Matfield and wing Bryan Habana expected to join in but bad weather delayed the trip and it was too close to match day for players to come along.

- Waiheke Marketplace