Win or lose, and more win than lose, please, rugby is a game that brings South Africans together, not just in the stadium or the lounge, but around the braai or the potjie. It’s a rich part of our sporting and culinary heritage, worth celebrating even more in the light of our recent Big Victory
The hunger of Bok supporters for a convincing victory, especially over our arch Kiwi rivals, was satisfied in spectacular fashion when SA beat the All Blacks by 36 to 34 in Wellington at the weekend. At last!
And speaking of hunger and fulfillment, it’s hard to think of rugby without discussing something that goes brilliantly with our beloved game.
I’m talking, of course, about our amazing local cuisine. We can’t all get to the stadiums to watch the matches live, but a traditional braai in a familiar setting creates a special vibe in itself.
Though our teams may not always win on the scoreboard, us South Africans are always winning on the food front. We have the king of snacks, biltong, to kick things off. Not just a tasty offering, but also a food item that comes with an inevitable story.
The provider of the cured meat either knows a good supplier in town, or has an even more intriguing story that often involves a trip into the great outdoors.
Humans have been drawn to fire since day one, but when you add the sizzle of boerewors to this element, that primal instinct goes into overdrive. Especially on a lovely South African summer’s day.
The boerie roll has almost magical qualities when combined with a spicy chakalaka side, and rounded off with some homestyle pap. Forget the health conscious couscous and quinoa for a moment – nobody can resist the qualities of good old fashioned pap to go with their wors.
Though some South Africans still think that chicken is a vegetable, the South African braai does of course feature a wonderful array of salads, home-grown and even featuring seasonal fruit, if you are so inclined.
If the flash and dash of a braai isn’t quite your speed before the game, and you are looking for something a little more substantial, then us South Africans can also take up the challenge of a traditional potjie.
I say challenge as this will test your patience, it will require stamina, and above all else also your unbridled commitment. So it’s basically like watching a test match.
Here your local meat will sumptuously fall from the bone, as a rich combination of vegetables, starches and gravies create a food experience that other countries would offer up their precious raw materials for.
Playing a part in any of this, from the production to the consumption, reminds you that there is always more to a Saturday in South Africa than just the game. Great food, great friends, great home based experiences.
By the time the game does come on you are in the best possible state of mind, one of balance and excitement for the spectacle to follow.
Win, lose or draw, whatever the outcome on the field, the post-match sweet treat is another game-raising platform in itself. There is the option of the sticky koeksuster, the noble malva pudding, or the iconic melktart to dazzle your guests with. And to think we haven’t even got into the topic of the ‘refreshments’ that go with all this goodness.
Whether you are a die-hard rugby fan, or just a casual observer, regain your hunger for rugby by making it about more than just the game this September, and beyond.
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