The Week Ahead: 12 Oct – 18 Oct 2026 | Champions Cup rugby and Marathon Sunday

Marathon Sunday: the city centre belongs to the runners

A new race on the calendar

Sunday 18 October brings the first Nelson Mandela Marathon to Cape Town, organised by Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation under the theme "Rise, Remember, Run". The organisers expect around 20,000 runners and walkers across the 42.2 km marathon, the 21.1 km Slave Route Challenge, and 10 km and 5 km races, as reported by The Athlete. All profits go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Where the route runs

The marathon starts on Strand Street and finishes on the Grand Parade. The published route heads towards the Atlantic Seaboard, returns through the Foreshore and continues out towards Milnerton before turning back to the city. Cape Town Tourism lists the first start from 05:30. Expect road closures and diversions in the CBD, Green Point, the Foreshore and the Milnerton side through Sunday morning. Check the City of Cape Town's traffic notices for confirmed closure times before you travel.

If you are travelling on Sunday morning

• Early flights: leave earlier than usual and agree a route that avoids the course. We plan pick-ups around the published closures.
• Hotels in the CBD, V&A Waterfront and Green Point: some entrances may be hard to reach by car until the course reopens. Confirm a collection point with your hotel and chauffeur the evening before.
• Supporters: drop-off near the Grand Parade will be restricted. Plan to walk the final stretch and arrange a collection point away from the finish.

Champions Cup rugby at DHL Stadium

Stormers v Bristol Bears

On Saturday 17 October the DHL Stormers host England's Bristol Bears in the Investec Champions Cup at DHL Stadium, with kick-off at 16:15, according to the Stormers ticket hub. It is the second home match in a run of four straight Saturdays at Green Point this month.

Arriving and leaving well

Match days usually bring road closures around Green Point and a designated drop-off area, set out in the club's match-day guide for each fixture. With the marathon the next morning, some event set-up may also be under way nearby, so allow extra time.

• Arrive well before kick-off; traffic builds early along Helen Suzman Boulevard and Beach Road.
• Agree your collection point and time with your chauffeur before the match.
• If you are running on Sunday, plan an early night: a chauffeur straight home after the final whistle helps.

Test cricket moves to Gqeberha

The Proteas' series against Australia continues with the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha from Sunday 18 October, as confirmed by The Herald. The series ends at Newlands in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October. If you are visiting for that Test, now is the time to book a late-October stay.

National days this week

We extend our warm congratulations to the people of Spain, Equatorial Guinea and Azerbaijan, and to their missions and communities in South Africa, as they mark these occasions. Local Travels CPT provides discreet, protocol-aware transport for national day receptions and official engagements. Read about our diplomatic travel service.

Around Cape Town

From Local Travels CPT

A quiet Sunday option. Garden Day at the Norval Foundation is in Tokai, well away from the marathon route. A chauffeur for the day lets you add a Constantia wine estate lunch afterwards without anyone having to drive.

Articles you might find interesting

The Week AheadRugby returns to DHL Stadium Executive ServicesDiplomatic travel in Cape Town About usPrivate chauffeur and travel in Cape Town

Sources: DHL Stormers (stormers.co.za); The Athlete (theathlete.co.za); Cape Town Tourism events (capetown.travel); The Herald (theherald.co.za); Norval Foundation (norvalfoundation.org). National days: Local Travels CPT national days calendar.

Local Travels CPT (Pty) Ltd. Arrive with Elegance. Depart in Style.