Castle Lager has announced that, over the years, it has solidified its position as a stalwart partner in South African sport, with 2024 marking three decades of Castle Lager's remarkable partnership with the Springboks.
Castle Lager says that it has always brought people together around the things they love, with every braai and every try.
Being sponsors of the nation's largest sporting codes plays an undeniable role in uniting fans around the country and building national pride, adds the brand.
History is often only recorded, but a legacy is always built through the trust of continued dedication, Castle Lager adds.
Castle Lager says that its long-lasting partnership with the Boks has witnessed some of the world's greatest sporting achievements.
Castle Lager says that it was around when Nelson Mandela lifted his arms in celebration with Bok skipper Francios Pienaar holding the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in 1995. That was true once again when the Boks lifted 'Bill' in 2007, 2019 and, most recently for a record-breaking fourth time, in 2023.
In 2008, when Ricky January chipped and chased his way to glory against the All Blacks in Dunedin, and when Marius Joubert scored at an elated Ellis Park to record only the second hat-trick against New Zealand in Johannesburg in 2004, Castle Lager adds that it could proudly state they were already time-honoured partners.
Before the dawn of the 21st century, when Jannie de Beer's boot crushed the resistance of England with five drop goals in Saint Denis, the Boks had the support of Castle Lager.
Ten years later, when Morne Steyn stood calmly beyond halfway to slot over the winning penalty against the British and Irish Lions, in front of an anxious Loftus Versfeld, Castle Lager held the torch of celebration, the brand adds.
When Steyn repeated the feat 12 years later against the B&I Lions — with the world held captive by Covid-19 — Castle Lager's sponsorship was enduring, as they were the official sponsor of the series.
"Castle Lager has been sponsoring rugby for three decades in an unbroken partnership," says Castle Lager's marketing director Thomas Lawrence, "ahead of the upcoming Ireland test series this week."
"Castle Lager is the beer that brings people together around the things that they love the most. We want to facilitate bonds of friendship, belonging and good times. That is what we stand for," adds Lawrence.
The brand says that when Ireland play the Boks in the next few weeks, and Portugal thereafter, the 'Taste that's stood the Test of time' will be there, too.
It adds that just as they were when the first Tri-Nations was held in 1996, when that tournament welcomed Argentina into the 2012 Rugby Championship, and when they will contest the competition this year and beyond.
"We are excited about this year," Lawrence adds. "Playing against Ireland is the first real test as back-to-back world champions. We want to give fans a something special."
For more information, visit www.castlelager.co.za.
*Image courtesy of contributor