Pete
In Cape Town the closest to Pacific Grove probably is Clovelly, great scenery, interesting holes, won't beat you up and has a great membership. Royal Cape is quite good as well. I like Atlantic Beach as well, but if the wind blows you could hit a few balls into the fynbos.
Generally Erinvale, Pearl Valley and Arabella are rated as the best courses in the area. All three are outside Cape Town. Erinvale and Pearl Valley are about 30-40 minutes outside whereas Arabella is around 90 minutes away. All three are very good and a bit more difficult then Clovelly and Royal Cape.
Back in Cape Town is Milnerton, which is very close to a true links, and is worth checking out. Also Mowbray and Rondebsoch are two older clubs and are pleasant to play. Steenberg is a newer club with real estate surrounding it, is highly rated but didn't have too much character to me.
Back out of the city towards Stellenbosch and Somerset West are De Zalze, Stellenbsoch, Strand and Paarl. These are all worth playing with the winelands close by as well.
I think that covers all the interesting courses in Cape Town.
For the other areas, I would add in George GC, when in Fancourt and Knysna, another older members club which fills your description of having interest and the possibilty of a score. Not too far from Port Elizabeth is St. Francis Links which is just open and I've heard a lot of good stories about it.
Finally I would add in the Wild Coast CC, it is 90 minutes from Durban but is one of my favourites in SA, short and wide in places not too taxing unless the wind blows and then it can be a monster. The wind nearly always blows. Holes 12 and 13 are highlights among many there.
I hope this is what you're looking for. If you have any more questions, ask away.