"Before this tour, I had never interacted with such a diverse group of people," explained Francois de Kock, from Johannesburg. "But no matter our backgrounds, everyone on the tour was wowed and came away feeling a new appreciation for our country and the people that make it great."

Another participant, Johannesburg's Carlos Figureido, echoed de Kock's thoughts as he expressed his gratitude – along with a tear or two – after Johnny Clegg performed a few of his most memorable hits for the intimate group: "It is truly amazing how a quintessentially South African brand has the ability to bring people from all walks of life and cultures together for a week that will bind us forever. I speak for all of us when I say that it truly came together with a Castle this week."

As the week drew to a close and everyone watched Zulu dancers performing at the erstwhile battlefields of Isandlawa, the participants had the chance to reflect on how far we all as South Africans have come.

On the first night of the Tour, Ally Hewitt, General Manager of Castle Lager, promised everyone gathered at the first stop, the Westcliff Hotel, that the Homegrown Tour would be better than any overseas tour could ever be. "You will discover places and people here at home that no one can rival anywhere in the world," he said. And by all accounts, his prediction came true. "We now look forward to the next Tour, Homegrown 2, where we'll show another set of lucky South Africans how it can all come together with a Castle."

“Our SuperFan journey has come full circle with the crowning of the Springbok Superfans. We started in 2010 with the Castle Lager Bafana Bafana Superfans who supported the national team during the world cup. We then crowned the Castle Lager Protea SuperFans earlier this year and now we have chosen our Springbok Superfans,” said Errol Madlala, Sponsorship Manager for Castle Lager. “This exciting journey Castle Lager has set on to find the ultimate Springbok SuperFans has started something greater than just a trip to New Zealand. As September draws closer, we’d like to remind every South African that it is time to come together and rally behind the boys and help them on their way to glory. Congratulations to the winning team, we look forward to seeing you in New Zealand.”

The fit between Castle Lager and the Proteas can be viewed as the “perfect partnership” as they possess a shared heritage. Both brands are iconic South African brands with a strong legacy and a long, proud history.

“This partnership between Castle Lager and the Proteas is a natural fit as both these brands are loved by South Africa and are diversely represented across the demographics of our country,” said Norman Adami, Chairman and Managing Director of SAB Ltd at the launch. “Castle Lager and the Proteas have an amazing ability to bring South Africa together and have helped create many memorable moments which South Africans all over South Africa and indeed the world have shared.”

Castle Lager has long recognised the power and emotion that go hand in hand with great sporting moments, and has always supported initiatives that rally this wonderful country and bring South Africans together. Today’s announcement asserted Castle Lager’s continued commitment to supporting all three national sporting codes and channel the power of all South Africans towards an understanding that we, as a nation, are better when we come together.

The fit between Castle Lager – an iconic South African brand by all accounts – and the Springboks is a natural one. Both are iconic South African brands with a strong legacy and a long, proud history. "Castle Lager and the Springboks are an integral part of the fabric of South African society," explained Norman Adami, Chairman and Managing Director of SAB Ltd at the launch. "The further coming together of these two brands today is very special and the partnership forged will be significant for South African Sport – both now and in the future."

Castle Lager has long recognised the power and emotion that go hand in hand with great sporting moments, and has always supported initiatives that rally this wonderful country and bring South Africans together. "This sponsorship of the Springboks represents a renewed and passionate commitment by us to invest more significantly in rugby as a unifying pillar of our country and demonstrates our ambition to represent, harness and support the best that South Africa has to offer," Adami added.

Today's announcement asserted Castle Lager's continued commitment to supporting all three national sporting codes and channel the power of all South Africans towards an understanding that we, as a nation, are better when we come together.

The aspiring fans making their debut on Friday entered and won a scratch-card competition that allowed them to select four of their strongest and passionate Bok-supporting friends to join them at the stadium and scrum the bakkie. The competition will be repeated at a selection of Super Rugby local Derbies matches over the next two months, with the final taking place on 20 August in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The winning team of friends will join the Boks in New Zealand in September

"We are excited to be completing our search for South Africa's ultimate sports fans with the introduction of the Castle Lager Springbok SuperFans," says Charl Bassil, Marketing Manager for Castle Lager. "The Bafana Bafana and Proteas SuperFans have received such an overwhelmingly positive response – both from the teams they supported and the public at large. We can't wait to bring together the Bok SuperFans with their cricket and soccer counterparts in a few months time. These three groups will truly represent the best of South African sports: true passion and pride for our country's teams."

Post your message of support to the Springboks and the 5 Castle Lager Springbok SuperFans on the Castle Corner FaceBook page: (http://www.facebook.com/CastleCorner).

But at the end of the day, it was Gareth’s outfit – which left little to the imagination – that caught the gathered crowd’s eyes. “My friends and I drank over 600 bottles of Castle Lager to make this outfit, and I’m thrilled that our efforts paid off! Going to India to support our boys is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t be happier,” said Gareth after the event.

According to Charl Bassil, Castle Lager’s Marketing Manager: “A huge thank you to all the fans that put their vanity – and in some cases, sanity – aside to show their unwavering commitment to the Proteas. And congratulations to Gareth for the well deserved win. Our supporters’ benches in India will be all the stronger thanks to you.”

The team of 27-strong Castle Lager SuperFans will be made up of winners from competitions that are running in stadiums, on radio and at Castle Lager outlets. To enter during cricket matches in various stadiums across the country, contestants need to come dressed as their version of the ultimate Castle SuperFan on day three of each of the test matches between South Africa and India. To enter on radio, as Gareth did, tune into your favourite station and listen out for the announcements. Fans can also enter in store, or participate in a tough game of cricket trivia online at www.castlelager.co.za. A host of opportunities to become a part of the Castle Lager Proteas SuperFans contingent!

“We’re excited to see the final line up of fans that’ll get behind the Proteas in the build up to next year’s World Cup,” continues Bassil. “If the current level of enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the likes of Gareth is anything to go by, reaching our goal of finding South Africa’s SuperFans to cheer on our boys in India is a certainty.”

With the addition of Klaas and Anton, the Castle Lager SuperFans now total 21 – six away from the final team of 27 that will come together to get behind the boys in India next year.

According to Klaas, “This is a dream come true. I will always go the extra mile to support my team and would have dressed like this anyway, but today it paid off!” A slightly more philosophical Anton echoed Klaas’ sentiments when he added: “The moment you are born, you start dying, so never stop living and don’t hesitate to be impulsive.”

Castle Lager started their search for the Proteas SuperFans last year, looking far and wide for cricket fanatics that could prove their passion and knowledge of the game. “I would like to thank everyone who took part in this competition,” continues Bassil. “The feedback was overwhelming and the lengths the fans went to prove their passion and commitment for the Proteas was truly impressive.
Post your message of support to the Proteas and the 27 Castle Lager Proteas SuperFans on the Castle Corner Facebook page: (http://www.facebook.com/CastleCorner), and stand a chance to win great prizes courtesy of Castle Lager.

Koch, whose brother won the trip to India on the third day of the second test in Durban said she is looking forward to joining him and is happy that her prayers for traveling to India have been answered after failing to make the grade at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.

Sharman who attended all the Castle Test matches during the Indian tour said he is ecstatic to have been selected as one of the 27 Castle Lager Proteas SuperFans who will be travelling to India in March.

“I am proud to announce that I have been following the Proteas all over the country during this tour and now my passion for the game has won me a trip to India to watch our boys take on the world, all thanks to Castle Lager,” says Sharman.

With 11 years of exceptional cricket performance to his name, and still sporting the green and gold shirt, Ntini is poised to clock up his 100th Test today.

Castle Lager would like to celebrate Ntini’s success with cricketing fans, so when the cricketing icon takes his first English wicket, he will give his signature “Inqaba” salute, a sign that fans can redeem a voucher for a bitterly cold Castle Lager…. proving once again that it all comes together with a Castle.

Castle has always been at the forefront of bringing South Africa’s together and, in true sporting spirit, 15 dedicated Castle Super Fans (dedicated Premier Soccer League (PSL) supporters from the country’s 16 PSL clubs), who normally rally behind Bafana Bafana, will today unite to support Makhaya and the rest of the team.

The promotion will run at 80 venues around the country until the end of December 2009. Consumers will be encouraged to nominate themselves as designated drivers for the night to Castle Lager promoters at the various venues. Willing participants will undergo a breathalyser test when they register and another one towards the end of the evening before they go home. To encourage minimal alcohol intake during the promotion, each designated driver will be given free soft drinks.

If designated drivers are below the legal limit by the end of the evening, they will be entered into a lucky draw. Each week four designated drivers will stand a chance of winning a year’s free cab rides from SACAB.

SACAB was the perfect partner for the Castle Lager Designated Driver Campaign as this transport services company offers consumers a professional and reliable taxi service 24 hours a day, seven days a week nationwide. SACAB has partnered with existing Cab companies nationwide to ensure a maximum reach and to make themselves accessible to all.

To ensure the initiative has a lasting impact, Charl Bassil says that Castle Lager will install dedicated SACAB phones in each of the selected outlets. “This will give consumers direct access (the call is free) to arrange a safe lift home after a night out during the festive season and beyond,” he says.

So, why not take one for the team and become the designated driver for the evening and ensure your friends get home safely? Watch out for “Designated Driver” events in your area and see how it all comes together with a Castle.

www.castlelager.co.za

“Jan’s achievement is outstanding and Castle Lager congratulates him on his inclusion in the Guinness World Book of Records. We also want to encourage other people to join in the celebration of Jan’s success because such achievements bring people together whilst encouraging others to make a plan, says Mazibuko.

In the build up to 2010, the Castle Superfans will conduct a national tour to rally South Africans and soccer enthusiasts to get behind Bafana Bafana and prepare themselves for this spectacular event and once again ensuring that the boys all come together with a Castle.
“We recently launched the Castle Lager Superfans limited edition 440ml cans to ensure that our consumers have Castle Superfans in their homes. Castle Lager has also ensured that the Castle Superfans continue their supporter obligations at their respective clubs, whilst rallying behind Bafana Bafana,” says Madlala.