Just a suggestion, but:
I did a very Lekker ride from East London last year:-
Day 1 - East London, N2, R409, R61 to Elliot - Barkley Pass - Barkley East - R58 Fairview - Lady Grey - R392, R726 to Zastron - followed the R26 east along the Lesotho border - Wepenar - Hobhouse - Ladybrand - Clocolan - Ficksburg and stopped in Fouriesburg.
Day 2 - Fouriesburg - Clarens - Golden Gate - R57, N5 west to Bethlehem - R26 North - Frankfort - joined the N3 to Jhb at Villiers.
Did this solo - it was a great ride!
If you were to leave PE and stop in Elliot on day 1, Fouriesburg or Clarens on Day 2 - you would be in Jhb before lunch on day 3....
Just a thought!