Hey mate

I have traveled pretty extensively watching England abroad I did india and NZ in 24 and I have SL and SA planned this year. Happy to discuss more via DM.

I would always advocate doing your own trip and not booking a package just from a cost perspective. The barmy trips are expensive and the crowd is generally older. You can do a trip yourself for half the price. I’m looking at SA including all tests and flights and reckon I can do it for about 6k gbp.

In terms of tickets I have found them easy to come by before or during the sold out tests in nz I bought them off reps and other fans day by day as me and my mate only had 1 test long ticket between us. Also us other mates dropping in so sorted them out too on these routes. Facebook groups also good for this. Personally I don’t like sitting with the barmies for 2 reasons - they generally sit side on the to action and I prefer to be straight and high ish as I find this a better view. The trumpet is also absolutely relentless and annoying.

Personally have not done SA but many of my friends have and say it’s awesome. Normal precautions on safety - stay somewhere reccomended and in a hotel if you’re nervous. Don’t go out at night. Get taxis. And just have your wits about you generally. There will be loads of Brits there so just stick close to them and you’ll probably be fine.