For South Africans living in the UK, the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks will offer more than 80 minutes of rugby. It will be an opportunity to reconnect with home.
Mukuru, an African cross-border financial services company, will host a dedicated Springboks watch party at Zambezi Fest 2026 in Northampton on August 29, bringing South Africans and Southern African communities together to watch the reigning Rugby World Cup champions face New Zealand on a giant screen.
The Mukuru-sponsored screening of the second Test will take place at the Overstone Event Field, with the match kicking off at 17h10 South African time. The fixture is part of one of rugby’s most storied rivalries and comes as the Springboks prepare for a series of Tests against the All Blacks.
The watch party is designed to turn the match into a community event, giving South Africans abroad a space to support their team while celebrating the culture and connections they share.
“Mukuru has a strong and authentic connection with Southern African communities in the UK, which makes the partnership a natural fit for Zambezi Fest,” said Joe Waggott, director of Zambezi Fest. “The Springboks are a huge part of South African culture, and we are excited to create an environment where fans can come together, enjoy the match and celebrate what connects us.”
Zambezi Fest runs from August 27-30 in Northampton and celebrates Southern African music, food, culture, sport and family, drawing communities from across the UK.
The Springboks’ popularity among South Africans abroad gives the event an added significance. Their rivalry with New Zealand remains one of international rugby’s defining sporting calendar dates, while the team’s status as reigning world champions adds to the anticipation around the fixture.
For Mukuru, the activation also reflects its wider focus on connecting African diaspora communities with home. “For South Africans living abroad, the Springboks can be a powerful connection to home,” said Victor Moyo, Mukuru country manager.
“We want to bring that feeling to Zambezi Fest, creating a space where people can come together, support the team and share the experience with fellow South Africans.”
The Springboks’ UK meeting with the All Blacks will come just a week after Bok centre Damian de Allende earned his 100th Test cap in the first clash of the rivalry at Ellis Park tomorrow. The milestone adds another storyline to a rivalry that has consistently produced high-profile encounters.
At Zambezi Fest, however, the focus will be less on the individual milestones and more on bringing South Africans together to share the occasion.
“It’s about celebrating the team, the culture and the connections that keep us close to home, wherever we are,” Moyo said.
SUPPLIED.
