The time has come! This weekend, South Africa’s Bokke will face their final showdown at the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand’s All Blacks. If you’re not planning on heading out to view the rugby, hosting a viewing party at home is the next best thing!
Here are some tips to help you host a Rugby World Cup final party, like a pro:
Down to dress up?
Are you really a Bokke fan if you don’t wear the jersey? We’re kidding! But playing dress-up never hurts. When the entire gang rocks up in Springbok colours, there’s a sense of camaraderie and spirit that sets the tone for the game.
If you don’t have a Springbok jersey on hand and don’t have the means to pick one up right now, rocking the Bokke’s signature colours (green and gold) will work just as well!
If you’re a super fan, you could always opt to paint the entire South African fan on your face, it’s a thing…Be warned, though – your flag may sweat to half-mask if the game is as tense as the last one. Waterproof face paint is the way to go.
Nibbles and drinks
Listen, it’s not a match if snacks aren’t involved. No one’s asking for a grazing table or for you to spend your entire salary on a fancy charcuterie board. A few bags of chips, some cocktail sausages or pies, something sweet to nibble on and a drink to wet the whistle goes a long way.
ALSO SEE: 14 unique charcuterie board ideas to wow your guests
If you want to go the extra mile, colour-coordinate your snacks. We’ll be whipping up a batch of cupcakes with green and gold icing for a special touch. Cupcakes are simple enough to make and don’t cost an arm and a leg to decorate. Plus, it’s a fun thing to keep the kids busy with on game day…
Bust out the braai
If your viewing party is there for the entire day (the match only starts at 21:00) then busting out the braai is the most proudly South African way to pass the time! Boerewors rolls, a beer, and the Bokke. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things. Take it easy on the beers, though – you’ll want to make it through to the end.
Props for photo-ops
No one’s telling you to deck-up the TV room, but having a few simple props around is a great idea for when you want to document the moment. Green and gold balloons and streamers do the job, nothing fancy is required. In years from now, you’ll look back at the photos and remember the spirited game even better because you went the extra mile.
For your viewing pleasure
Make sure the viewing area is ready for your excited guests to get their game on. There’s got to be enough room for guests to jump around and hurl profanities at the screen without posing any risks to themselves, or your living area. Move the coffee tables and fragile decor out of the way, and make enough room for everyone to sit down.
Post-match celebrations
The game doesn’t end once the Springboks have won! In fact, the celebrations only start then. Surprising your guests with a little something special after the game – whether the Bokke take the cup or not – is a great way to end off the night. Perhaps you set a bottle of bubbly aside, a celebratory pudding waits on the sidelines, or there’s little goodie bags for your guests to take home.
We hope these realistic tips take the pressure off of hosting your viewing party this weekend. The most important part is to have fun and celebrate the Springboks with all your favourite people in tow. (Don’t forget the snacks, though).
ALSO SEE:
“What it means to over 60 million South Africans” says Siv Ngesi
Feature Image: Instagram / @mamajoy_chauke
