“Our Sports Ambassador”: Bafana Bafana Beauty Represents the Springboks in America, SA Proud
- South African TikToker @thatgirlthato_ wore vibrant traditional attire on the streets of New York City on 7 September 2026
- Thato and her friends showed off their heritage in Times Square while promoting the Springboks ahead of their Baltimore match
- Mzansi viewers praised Thato for proudly representing South Africa on an international stage
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Source: TikTok
A KwaZulu-Natal beauty took Mzansi culture to Times Square. On 7 September 2026, TikTok user @thatgirlthato_ stepped into one of the world's most iconic streets dressed in striking traditional attire, turning heads and drawing praise from a passerby who cheered her on for representing South Africa.
Thato and her friends were in New York ahead of the Springboks' upcoming match in Baltimore the following week. The group used the moment to celebrate their heritage and rally support for the national rugby team, bringing a bold slice of South African culture to the heart of the United States.
Mzansi pride lands in New York
The clip quickly resonated back home. South Africans watching from afar were moved by the sight of one of their own showing the world where she came from. Thato even called on her followers to help tag the Springboks in the video, writing in the comments: "Please help me tag Springboks 🐐." The high-stakes fixture will see the Springboks face off against their arch-rivals, the All Blacks, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 12, 2026.
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Watch Thato bring South African culture to Times Square in the TikTok video below:
Mzansi reacts to Thato's Times Square moment
The reaction from viewers was a mix of pride, admiration and a little humour, with many feeling Thato had earned an unofficial title as the country's cultural ambassador in America. South Africans flooded the comments section with love and pride:
@kebotogle said:
"Our sports ambassador ❤️."
@maureenilu added:
"Thanks for representing us 🇿🇦 🫶."
@khanyisa commented:
"Blood type +27."
@Thando MaShange shared:
"Our South African princess in the USA, uyathandwa baby girl ❤️." *(you are loved, baby girl)*
@Ohlemyli said:
"You're effortlessly beautiful ❤️🌹💝."
@may Mshwanazi wrote:
"No DNA needed; purely South African ❤️."
3 Briefly News Springboks-related articles
- Briefly News previously reported that a Springbok supporter turned heavy stadium traffic into a party by hopping out of a taxi to share cold drinks from the boot with fellow motorists.
- A viral video of a South African man performing a hilarious braai-themed version of the haka in a Springbok jersey at a lapa gathering left social media users in stitches.
- A group of young South African schoolboys stood proudly together to sing the national anthem in a heartfelt show of support for the Springboks.
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Source: Briefly News
