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Heads-Up, Saffas!
⏰ Clocks Back, Boots On
Right then, team — quick heads-up before you charge into the weekend: the clocks go back in the early hours of Sunday 26 October, which means you gain an extra hour’s sleep (or one more pint after the match).
It’s proper autumn now — misty mornings, warm jerseys, and the unmistakable smell of something good bubbling in a pot. This week we’re celebrating rugby, comfort food, and South Africans thriving in the UK.
Inside you’ll find:
🏉 A Springbok star making waves at Bath
💡 A nifty hack to pay fines fast and save 50%
🥘 A pumpkin-and-bean potjie that’s pure home in a pot
📱 A free app to keep you in the rugby loop
So pull up a chair, pour something golden, and let’s get stuck in — it’s a Rugger Weekend worth grinning about.
Life Hack of the Week
🚦Pay Fines in Seconds (and Halve the Cost)
Big match day, good mates, great atmosphere — until you get back to your car and spot that dreaded yellow slip. Here’s how to sort it on the spot and save up to 50%.
Most parking fines in the UK now include a QR code or link for instant online payment.
If you spot a PayIt, GovPay, or SABA, you can settle it securely in seconds. Just tap the link or visit sabaparking.co.uk/pay, choose your bank, authorise the payment, and you’re done — no calls, no queues, no paperwork.
The best part? If you pay within the early window (usually 14 days), the fine is automatically reduced — often from £100 to £50.
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What’s On
🎟️ This Weekend in the UK
It’s shaping up to be a cracker — rugby, autumn leaves, and just enough chill in the air to make that first sip of something warm (or cold) perfect.
🏉 Premiership Rugby
Bath vs Bristol Bears — Sat 25 Oct, 15:05 at The Rec (Bath). West Country derby energy incoming.
Northampton Saints vs Saracens — Fri 24 Oct, 19:45 at Franklin’s Gardens. Friday-night lights and friendly rivalry.
Exeter Chiefs vs Gloucester — Sat 25 Oct, 15:00 at Sandy Park. Big crowd, big hits, big fun.
Harlequins vs Newcastle — Sat 25 Oct, 15:00 at Twickenham Stoop. Grab a pint and soak it in.
🎃 Half-Term & Family Fun
London’s alive with Halloween pop-ups, museum nights, and open-air fun: pirate adventures, robot exhibits, and even a spooky ship-rig climb or two. If you’ve got kids, grandkids, or a borrowed niece in tow — this weekend’s for them.
⏰ Don’t Forget!
Clocks go back at 2 a.m. on Sunday 26 Oct, which means you gain an extra hour’s sleep… or one more round after the match.
SAFFA Spotlight
🏉 Thomas du Toit — The Tank from Paarl Takes on Bath
He’s six-foot-four, built like a bakkie, and moves like someone forgot to tell him props aren’t supposed to sprint.
Thomas du Toit — or The Tank, as he’s affectionately known — swapped the Sharks for Bath Rugby last season, and in true South African fashion, didn’t waste time making an impression.
Within weeks he was smashing scrums, flattening defenders, and charming local fans with that unmissable Bok grin. Bath supporters adore him — partly because he’s an absolute wrecking ball, but also because he brings that unmistakable Springbok heart.
Originally from Paarl, du Toit’s journey north has been a bit like many of ours — a mix of homesickness, adventure, and proving yourself in chilly conditions. And by all accounts, he’s thriving.
He’s heading back to South Africa at the end of the season, but for now, he’s showing the Brits how we do it: big hits, big smiles, and bigger braais.
Fun Stuff
🥘 Pumpkin Potjie Magic for Rugger Weekends
Cold weekend? No problem — this one warms you from the inside out. There’s something wonderfully primal about standing around a bubbling potjie, even if it’s just on your patio under a London drizzle.
This Pumpkin & Bean Potjie keeps the South African spirit alive — rich, smoky, slightly sweet, and hearty enough to feed a small squad.
You’ll need:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cups pumpkin or butternut, cubed
1 red pepper, diced
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can mixed beans (or butter beans)
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp curry powder
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: a handful of spinach, feta, or leftover braai meat
How to:
Heat oil in the potjie (or heavy pot). Fry onion and garlic until soft.
Add pumpkin and pepper; stir until lightly browned.
Mix in tomatoes, beans, and spices.
Simmer slowly (lid on) for 30–40 minutes — stir occasionally.
Serve with rice, pap, or fresh crusty bread.
It’s hearty, cheap, and turns any grey afternoon into something golden and it makes the house smell like home.
👉 Need a proper cast-iron potjie, fire stand, or lid lifter?
Pop over to the SA Connect UK Shop — we’ve got all the katunda you need to make your next potjie day legendary.
Resource of the Week
📱 Stay on the Ball with the BBC Sport App
Don’t miss a single kick, scrum, or Springbok moment. The BBC Sport App gives you live scores, player stats, and match highlights for every major UK and international game — all for free.
How it helps:
Customise your feed for rugby union, Premiership, or Springboks abroad.
Get real-time notifications so you never miss a try.
Watch short highlight clips and post-match interviews right on your phone.
Works across all devices — iPhone, Android, or desktop.
We live for rugby, but don’t always have Sky or BT Sport. This app keeps you plugged in, wherever you are — train, braai, or half-time snack run.
🔗 Download it free: bbc.co.uk/sport
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Until Next Time
🇿🇦 From the Field to the Fire
As the evenings draw in and the rugby chants fade, there’s something comforting about that glow — whether it’s from the pot or the telly.
So this weekend, take your extra hour, wrap up warm, and make something that reminds you of home. Whether it’s a potjie bubbling slowly or a match playing loudly, you’re part of a small South African patch right here in the UK.
And if your gear’s looking a bit tired — maybe time for a new lid lifter, apron, or potjie stand — you’ll find it all waiting for you at the SA Connect UK Shop.
See you next Saturday for more stories, hacks, and home comforts — same time, same place, same South African heart.
Troy & Sarah
Reader Shout-Out 🌻
A big thank-you to Courtney, one of our SA Connect UK readers, for sharing her brilliant photos from Tulleys Farm!
She and her crew went pumpkin picking last weekend — muddy boots, bright orange pumpkins, and all smiles.
We love seeing your UK adventures, especially when they mix a bit of South African sunshine with British autumn charm.
If you’d like to be featured next time, send us your photos or tag us on Instagram — we might just share your story too.
