Castle Lager – the taste that’s stood the test of time – and Bafana Bafana – re-affirmed that they are ready to bring cheers to South Africans – both on and off the football pitch.
Castle Lager – who has backed Bafana Bafana since 1992 – will once more be there to support ‘The Boys’ as they contest two of the world’s biggest football tournaments: firstly, the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco in December, followed by the greatest show of them all, the FIFA World Cup 2026 from June next year.
Castle Lager will be in a unique position for both competitions – not only as a long-standing partner of Bafana Bafana, but also as an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, too. Together with fans across the country Castle Lager will lead the charge in supporting our team in the continental and world stage.
“We have been with Bafana Bafana for more than 30 years,” said Thomas Lawrence, brand manager for Castle Lager.
“What’s special is that it is an unbroken partnership. It is a partnership that has some highs and some lows, but it is a partnership that has stood the test of time. We recently renewed our partnership for another four years and we are looking forward to the next cycle.
“It’s been a great journey,” Lawrence continued.
“We are excited about this current team. We’ve seen that they fill stadiums, we’ve seen that they are bringing South Africans together. We are hopeful that they will have a good AFCON and World Cup. The call to action from Castle Lager to South Africans is to Rally Your Squad and get behind the boys.”
With a festival of football on the horizon, South Africans – joined by the timeless taste of Castle Lager – will finally be invited to a party they have longed to be part of since 2010, starting the road to North America first in North Africa.
Lawrence explains: “As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as well, that gives us access into that world. It is a way for us to bring South Africans closer to the team and Castle Lager can unlock and facilitate this kind of access for fans.”
Few can forget Friday, 11 June 2010, and the extraordinary moment that would define South African football for the next decade.
It was the 54th minute of the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and FNB Stadium – Soccer City – was vibrating with excitement. The vuvuzelas hummed, the calabash heaved, the pitch gleamed, and the anticipation of a nation ready to erupt into thunderous celebration was palpable.
From deep within their half, Bafana snatched possession from Mexico. Reneilwe Letsholonyane pounced on an errant pass, firing the South African counter-attack into motion. Moments later, a perfectly weighted through-ball by Teko Modise split the visitors’ defence, meeting Siphiwe Tshabalala’s perfectly timed run. In a few strides, ‘Shabba’ controlled the ball, regained his balance, and with a thunderous left boot, slammed the Jabulani past the diving, outstretched arms of Mexican goalkeeper Óscar Pérez.
It became a legendary moment – one that instilled belief in a nation and reaffirmed South Africa’s ability to host a world-class event and perform under the most daunting scrutiny. In that instant, South Africans released years of anticipation, focussing their joy, hope and faith into a singular point.
The journey to that moment had taken years of anguish and patience – much as it has now – and Castle Lager was always there to back our team and our nation, just as they were at the World Cups in 1998 and 2002.
It was then, in 1998, that South Africa watched their first ever World Cup participation, and their first goal through the legendary boot of Benni McCarthy against Denmark. Four years later, South Africa registered their first victory at the tournament – a 2-1 triumph over Slovenia. That feat would be repeated eight years later when they beat France by the same margin.
World Cup participation is often built on continental success, and that was certainly true of the classes of the millennium. From 1996 to 2002, South Africa were a constant presence at the Africa Cup of Nations’ high table.
In 1996, Neil Tovey and Co cantered through the tournament to beat Tunisia 2-0 in the final, claiming the nation’s only title. In 1998, Bafana were runners-up, losing to Egypt, and two years later, they finished third in the tournament held in Ghana. In 2002, they bowed out at the quarter-final stage.
In recent years, under Hugo Broos, Bafana have returned to their place among Africa’s premier teams, finishing third at the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco presents another opportunity to capture an elusive continental trophy and build momentum for the global stage.
The dream to be crowned African champions starts on December 22 at the Marrakech Stadium against Angola, followed four days later against continental powerhouse Egypt in Agadir. They complete their Group B participation against neighbours Zimbabwe back in Marrakech.
Successfully navigating those games will have South Africans believing that something wonderful could be on the horizon – and, of course, Castle Lager will be there to celebrate and commemorate the journey.
Castle Lager will be hosting Africa Cup of Nations viewing parties around the country so as to get supporters together to watch the game, with a beer in hand and a South African crest on breast. Castle Lager will also be giving some lucky fans an opportunity to travel to Morocco and watch Bafana play live.
As for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Castle Lager has major plans in the works to bring people together for more cheers. To find out more keep updated on Castle Lager’s Facebook, X and Instagram accounts.
Website: www.castlelager.co.za
Twitter: @castlelagerSA
Facebook: Castle Lager
Instagram: @castlelagerSA
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