“Making Them Feel at Home”: DC Local Fires Up Braai for Springboks Ahead of Historic US Test

• DC-based Natasha Davids showed how the US prepped a full South African braai for the Springboks at the embassy in Washington
• The Springboks were in the US ahead of a historic Test match against the All Blacks in Baltimore on 12 September 2026
• The celebration included authentic boerewors flown in from South Africa and a tribute to Nelson Mandela

In Washington DC, the Springboks got a taste of home before their historic match on American soil. Natasha Davids, known on Instagram as @i_am_tasha_d, posted a video on 11 September 2026 showing celebrity chefs cooking at the South African Embassy in Washington DC, ahead of the team's clash with the All Blacks.

The outdoor event was a full braai spread. Tables were loaded with South African spices, fresh produce and raw cuts of beef ribeye. Authentic boerewors, brought over from South Africa, sizzled on the grill alongside steak served with chimichurri sauce. Early-arriving players mingled with guests as the rest of the team was expected later that evening.

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A large portrait of Nelson Mandela hung above a doorway in the building, and the group paused to pay tribute to Tata Madiba during the celebrations. Finished cuts of meat were served in platters as guests ate, drank and socialised into the night.

Springboks make history in Baltimore

The braai was a send-off of sorts. The Springboks were set to play a first-ever Test in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September 2026, facing the New Zealand All Blacks. The team delivered, winning 43–28 to clinch a 3–1 series victory in what was billed as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.

Watch the embassy braai that got Mzansi talking.

Mzansi reacts to the Washington DC braai

South Africans in the comments of the Instagram page had a lot to say about the embassy feast:

@chloejsizer said:

"It was so good 🤤🙌"

@trackerint3323 wrote:

"Lovely to see the support. A bit of pap and sheba would be good, but looks wonderful."

@microspecialist commented:

"Making them feel at home 🔥"

@karenbyanothername asked:

"Why would you put chimichurri on meat for South Africans? 😕"

@rhaine.viljoen noted:

"The way you said boerewors was proper…"

@sossy_mo3 joked:

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"Is that enough meat for those big guys? 😂❤️"

@titus.nolan added:

"I think that this will start off a new trend 🔥🔥🔥"

More on Springboks in the USA

• Briefly News recently reported on Siya Kolisi opening up about Rassie Erasmus' influence on the Springboks after their series victory over the All Blacks.
• Rassie Erasmus delivered a striking assessment of the Springboks after their win over New Zealand in Baltimore.
• A Springboks fan flexed his Volkswagen Citi Golf with a South African number plate at the match in the USA, leaving fellow fans amused.

Source: Briefly News