The Independent Online (IOL) ran a short piece titled “Missing home while backing the Boks? Where South Africans can find a taste of home while in the US”. The article points out that South Africans who travel to the United States to support the Springboks, the national rugby side, often look for familiar food, drinks and community spaces to ease the culture shock of a long flight and a different time zone.
For many, the search for a “home away from home” begins with food. South African-owned restaurants and cafés in cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have become informal meeting points for fans. These venues typically serve staples like bobotie (spiced meat casserole), boerewors (farm-style sausage) and rooibos tea, allowing visitors to enjoy a familiar flavour profile without having to cook in a hotel kitchen. The term “bobotie” refers to a baked dish of minced meat seasoned with curry powder and topped with an egg custard; “boerewors” is a coiled sausage made from beef, pork and a blend of spices that is usually grilled.
Beyond restaurants, South African expatriate groups organise pop-up events and viewing parties in community centres or private homes. Such gatherings often feature a shared pot of pap (maize porridge) and a side of chakalaka (spicy vegetable relish). The word “pap” describes a thick, porridge-like staple made from ground maize, while “chakalaka” is a tomato-based relish that adds heat to the meal. These events not only provide a culinary anchor but also a network for networking, job leads and informal advice on navigating the US property market.
Why the property angle matters
While the headline focuses on food, the underlying issue for many travelling South Africans is accommodation. Short-term rentals listed on platforms such as Airbnb often highlight proximity to South African eateries or community hubs as a selling point. Property owners who understand this niche can command higher nightly rates by advertising “SA-friendly” amenities, for example, a kitchen stocked with rooibos tea bags or a fridge with space for boerewors. This creates a modest but measurable market segment within the broader US short-term rental industry.
For entrepreneurs, the trend suggests an opportunity: establishing or partnering with existing South African-run hospitality businesses to cater to the diaspora during major sporting events. The Springboks’ World Cup campaign, for instance, draws a predictable surge of visitors in June and July, giving property managers a clear window to market “home-taste” packages.
It is worth noting that the IOL article does not provide specific numbers on how many South Africans travel for the matches, nor does it name any particular restaurants or property firms. The observations are based on the writer’s experience of the community’s habits and on the broader pattern of diaspora groups clustering around familiar cultural touchstones.
In practical terms, South African fans planning a US trip should consider booking accommodation that mentions nearby SA-friendly venues, or reach out to online forums where expatriates share recommendations. Doing so can reduce the stress of being far from home, and may even open doors to longer-term connections in the US property market.
