 In 1969, both vessels were transferred from British to South African registry.During the 1970s the South African liner trade started to decline, mainly due to competition from the jet airplane and the rising success of the revolutionary new container ships, in carrying cargoes more efficiently and more economically than conventional, older vessels.Thus, in 1975 the "S. A. Oranje" and her Union-Castle sister RMS "Edinburgh Castle" were withdrawn and sold for scrapping.