In the Mother City for the second Test match between hosts South Africa and England at Newlands, the Barmy Army depleted the hotel’s entire beer supply in a matter of minutes.

According to Michael Farr, Sun International Group general manager, 140 members of the Barmy Army were guests at five-star Table Bay Hotel where they took up residence in The Union Bar.

Farr said the Barmy Army, known for their boisterous manners, finished the entire stock of local SA brew Castle lager within 20 minutes of arrival.

“The most popular beverage for our English visitors was Castle Lager. Overall, our food and beverage sales indicate that December 2015 was one of our best months on record,” Farr said.

The Barmy Army follows the English cricket team on its overseas tours all over the world.

Members of the Barmy Army were also amongst the record 3,05 million people who flocked to the V&A Waterfront during December to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate.

V&A Waterfront spokesperson, Carla White, said the increased numbers of visitors to the popular tourist site was due to a variety of factors, including the New Year’s cricket Test which saw a strong contingent of English supporters taking advantage of the strength of their currency.

One of the most popular ditties sung by the Barmy Army during the current tour was: “We’ve got 24 Rands to the Pound, we’ve got 24 Rands to the Pound…” sung to the tune of He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands.

Cape Town is bracing itself as the Barmy Army is set to return to the city in February for the One-Day International and T20 clashes.