Do South Africa's long-distance buses usually run on time?

We're considering whether to take an earlier Translux bus between Mossel Bay and Capetown (and have to shell out for a hotel in Cape Town that night), or the cheaper option: taking an overnight bus. Trouble is, the overnight option gets us to Cape Town at 5:45 am and we've an 8:15 am plane to catch from CPT. (I figured that if it runs on time, we'll get to the airport about two hours before our flight: plenty of time!)

Is it foolish to cut things this close? Or are the long-distance buses pretty reliable, time-wise? I figured it should be more reliable at night, when there's no traffic, but I've ben on plenty of long-distance buses abroad that kept to their own schedule rather than the printed one.

Thanks!

I personally would avoid trying to cut things close. You never know what can happen on the road...

There are lots of overnight options in Cape Town that aren't an overpriced hotel...

I travelled by overnight bus (Greyhound) a few times in South Africa in Sept/Oct, (Cape Town-Port Elizabeth, Cape Town-Kimberley, Durban-Johannesburg). On the Cape to Kimberley trip we were parked on the side of the road for about 40 minutes due to a mechanical breakdown, but I still arrived in Kimberley 10 mins early. I assume that either the driver drove like a maniac while I was asleep (it's Africa, so who knows!!), or that they allow extra time for any problems that might occur. However, when I arrived in the Greyhound office in Port Elizabeth, the bus that was going back towards Cape Town was delayed by 1 1/2 hours because someone had thrown a rock through the windscreen - I wouldn't chance it knowing how unpredictable road conditions can be... While the bus companies make allowances for a lot of things in their time table, some things just can't be planned for.

As for accommodation, Ashanti lodge was really nice - they are predominantly a backpackers, but also have another 'lodge' with single and double rooms - and quite reasonable priced. Nice location - 5 minutes walk from the centre of town, but far enough away to mean you're not kept awake by all the nightclubs...

Don't take the chance is my advice...

wouldn't risk it either.

No - you don't have two hours, because you still have to get from the bus terminal in downtown CT to the airport - at the very least half an hour, probably 1 hour

as said before - you never know what is happening along the way...

seb