The ship carries two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) called 'Stingrays' for small-craft duties, as well as two Delta-80 LCUs for limited amphibious use.

In 1988 Drakensberg set sail along with SAS Frans Erasmus for Chile on 15 February, returning to South Africa on 15 April.

This was followed two years later in May 1990, when Drakensberg accompanied the strike craft SAS Jan Smuts and Hendrik Mentz on a voyage to Keelung in the Republic of China (Taiwan), without stopping at any ports along the way (a procedure necessitated by South Africa's political isolation at the time).

This was the first time since 1945 that a South African naval vessel had "shown the flag" in the Far East;[3] it also provided an opportunity for joint exercises with the Taiwanese Navy.

Three years later Drakensberg embarked on another long-range voyage, this time to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to partake in the Atlasur IV naval manoeuvres.