Not sure what the problem is here? I used to operate LHR-JNB with 3 pilots and used to wonder how that had been set up as the norm with that particular airline, because it was easily achievable with just 2 pilots. I know CPT is further than JNB, but it is still very doable with 2 pilots. Depending on the report time for duty, 2 crew can do up to 14 hours on a single sector and then (if unplanned delays or diversions arise), they can exercise the good old Captain's discretion to extend up to 3 hours further. Plenty of current U.K. operations involve TWO sector duty periods in excess of 13 hours being flown on a regular basis. U.K to Egypt and back on a 2 crew aircraft is another example of a long (but legal) duty which is regularly rostered on British charter aircraft. How about U.K. to Canada and back in a B.737 with no relief pilots? That's being done too out of Gatwick. Consequently, a single sector to Capetown followed by a night in a hotel bed seems pretty tame in comparison!
