Rugby World Cup win for local businesses

The Springboks may have sprinkled some joy upon South Africans through their narrow victory on Saturday night, but pub owners were the true winners, seemingly performing better than the national team.

Local businesses cashed in this past weekend as Mzansi gathered at various venues to watch the long-anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup semifinals.

The Citizen caught up with some of the businesses who hosted match-screenings to find out if they had to re-stock after the night of mixed emotions.

ALSO READ: Springboks: ‘We’ll do it for Africa’ — Siya

‘Stock ran out’

Mkonwana’s Tavern in Braamfischerville, Soweto, hosted more than 50 patrons to experience the emotional roller coaster ride in full HD.

The manager, Thabiso Zwane, said although the number of patrons was no different from their regular soccer game screenings, the crowd was a little different.

“People stayed a bit longer because there were celebrations [afterwards],” he told The Citizen.

Admitting he underestimated the numbers, Zwane said he’d previously anticipated business would be slow on a mid-month weekend, but to his surprise, stock eventually ran out.

“I didn’t have enough stock; I had to go and stock up somewhere else,” he said.

Luckily, he was able to top up his inventory the same night, buying stock from an acquaintance who was more than willing to help a friend in need.

Zwane is gearing up for the upcoming finals next Saturday and has promised that he’ll be better prepared, adding that the final match comes after pay-day for many of his customers.

“Now with the World Cup [finals] coming up, I will make sure to prepare for the people who’ll be coming here,” he concluded.

ALSO READ: Springboks book dream Rugby World Cup final against All Blacks

Ready for the finals

Rafter’s Pub in Pretoria East wasn’t immune to Springbok fever, with more than 120 patrons catching a piece of the action.

Speaking to The Citizen, general manager Herman Steyn said the pub was fully booked, with an overflow of walk-in customers.

Despite the more-than-usual number of patrons needing refreshments, Steyn said there was more than enough to go around.

“We were [sufficiently] supplied for the weekend,” he said.

Looking forward to screening the final match next Saturday, Steyn said preparations had already begun.

“We already have 60 confirmed bookings,” he said, adding he’d be increasing the number of waiters to cater for the large crowds.

ALSO READ: World Cup semi-final result: South Africa 16 England 15

Busy weekend ahead

MIX Cocktail Bar’s exclusive clientele doubled on Saturday night as members showed up for the match.

Food and beverage manager Lovemore Chuma said while the Rosebank club typically serves as a getaway from the adjacent workspace, they decided to host a screening of the Rugby World Cup.

“We thought, let’s just connect a TV so people can just walk in—and they did,” he told The Citizen.

Hoping to leverage last weekend’s turnout, Chuma said the cocktail bar would once again open its doors to rugby supporters.

“This coming weekend, we’re [planning to] make it even bigger; we’ll connect two extra TVs,” he said, explaining he’s expecting at least 50 customers.

“It’ll be a busy weekend,” he concluded.

ALSO READ: A predictable, boring Boks-All Blacks clash … or a potential World Cup classic?