The Junior Springboks are world champs. The Currie Cup’s back. And across the UK, South Africans are packing picnic baskets, planning day trips, and soaking up the sunshine.

This week, we’ve got:

It’s a celebration of summer, sport, and small joys — all wrapped up in your weekly slice of home.

Heading out for a UK summer adventure? Whether it's a riverside picnic, a village fair, or a Shakespearean stroll, a little clever packing can mean the difference between “best day ever” and “I should’ve brought the umbrella.”

Here are a few tried-and-tested tips South Africans in the UK swear by:

🎒 And if you forget something? That’s just part of the story you’ll tell later.

The legendary Currie Cup kicks off this weekend, bringing together the best of South Africa’s domestic rugby. If you miss the sound of Ellis Park on a Saturday afternoon, here’s your fix:

📺 Catch matches via streaming or satellite — Sky Sports often picks up big clashes. Or just follow along with mates on WhatsApp and replay the commentary in your best Hugh Bladen voice.

Aug 1–3 & 8–10 | Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
South Africa’s own Black Coffee headlines this new dance music festival in a stunning riverside setting. Expect house, techno, and global grooves — with a vibe that feels like a summer braai in full swing.
🎟️ Tickets via labyrinthevents.com

Sat 26 July | Greenwich, London
Free music, street food, and great atmosphere on the Thames. If Cape Town jazz and a market vibe are your thing, you’ll feel right at home.
🎟️ No ticket needed — just arrive hungry.

Various Dates | Scotland
Think caber tossing, kilts, and bagpipes — a proper cultural day out. These community events are happening across Scotland from July through September.
🎟️ Dates and details at visitscotland.com

25–27 July | Dorset
Three days, 50+ acts, camping, and seaside fun. Family-friendly with a party vibe. No parking on-site, but shuttles from Bournemouth and Poole make it easy.
🎟️ Info & tickets at pooleharbourfestival.com

In South Africa, rugby isn’t just played — it’s lived. It's the rhythm of weekends, the heart of neighbourhoods, the stories passed down from one generation to the next.

So when the Junior Springboks stormed to victory and became U20 Rugby World Champions last week in Cape Town, it wasn't just a win. It was a moment of national joy. A reminder that talent, grit, and green-and-gold pride are alive and well in the next generation.

Let’s take stock for a second:

🏏 Cricket U19 World Champs
🏉 Senior Springboks — Reigning Rugby World Champs
🌱 Junior Springboks — U20 Rugby World Champs

Three world titles. One fiercely proud nation.

Whether you’re watching from a UK pub, your lounge in Leeds, or a picnic blanket in Oxfordshire, you’re part of it too. That South African spirit — resilient, passionate, united — travels with you.

👏 To every player, coach, and fan: we see you. We salute you. And we’re cheering from across the seas.

This week, we’re inviting you to try something wonderfully simple: pack a basket, find a sunny patch of grass, and host a proper South African-style picnic — right here in the UK.

Here’s your checklist:

🧺 What to Pack

🌳 Where to Go

🎶 Why It’s Fun
Because it brings together the best parts of being South African: good food, fresh air, real connection, and a dash of nostalgia. And when you unwrap those broodjies and bite into the warm, cheesy goodness? Just try not to smile.

📸 Send us your picnic snaps — or tag us on Instagram @saconnectuk. We’d love to feature you in a future edition!

We’ve got you covered — cheesy, toasty, fire-grilled bliss awaits.

👉
Click here for the full recipe

When you’re on the road in South Africa, you know where to pull over — but in the UK? Not so much. Whether it’s a loo stop, a petrol top-up, or just somewhere to grab a coffee and regroup, these apps show you every single motorway service station in the UK.

🧺 Great for summer road trips, family outings, and spontaneous picnics. Because when nature calls… you don’t want to be guessing.

Want to watch the Springboks with fellow South Africans, a cold Castle, and a proper roar when we score? This brilliant list from Saffa Tees shows the best pubs and clubs across the UK where you can catch the game with your people.

📍 From London to Leeds, Poole to Paisley, you’ll find spots serving braai food, showing SA rugby, and flying the flag for all things green and gold.

Perfect for upcoming Currie Cup clashes or just a Saturday pint with familiar faces.

👉 View the full list of SA rugby pubs here

Next Saturday, we’re diving into under-the-radar UK freebies — the kind of tips no one tells you when you move here, but that make everyday life smoother, cheaper, and a little more fun.

Here’s a sneak peek:

And of course, there’ll be a new recipe, a new resource, and that little spark of South African sunshine you count on each week.

Here’s something to carry with you into the week ahead:

As South Africans in a new land, we’re always balancing two worlds — the one we came from, and the one we’re building. And while we miss the familiar voices, smells, and sunsets, we also get to create new memories, one braai broodjie, picnic, or rugby cheer at a time.

So this week, take that next step — however small. Pack the basket. Message the mate. Try the thing you’ve been putting off.

We're right here with you.

Wishing you sunshine, soft grass, and seriously good leftovers.

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