Speak fluent braai.

Awehsay: ah-WEH

SA street slang

Hi, yes, cool, agreed. All at once.

“Aweh, see you at the watch-along.”

Ag mansay: ach man

Afrikaans

Oh, come on. Mild exasperation.

“Ag man, another 5am kick-off?”

Bakkiesay: BUCK-ee

Afrikaans

A pickup truck. The national vehicle.

“Load the cooler box in the bakkie.”

Biltong

Afrikaans

Dried, spiced meat. Not jerky. Never say jerky.

“Half-time biltong is mandatory.”

Boereworssay: BOO-ruh-vors

Afrikaans

Coiled farmer’s sausage, cooked on a braai.

“Wors roll, anyone?”

Boet / brusay: boot / brew

Afrikaans / SA English

Brother, mate.

“Howzit, boet. Save me a seat, bru.”

Braaisay: bry

Afrikaans

Barbecue, but a whole way of life.

“It’s raining. We’re still braaiing.”

China

SA English (rhyming slang)

Mate, friend. From “china plate”.

“Thanks, my china.”

Chommie

SA English

Friend, buddy.

“Bring your chommies.”

Dop

Afrikaans

A drink (often the grown-up kind).

“One dop, then we watch the replay.”

Einasay: AY-nah

Afrikaans

Ouch!

“Eina, that tackle.”

Eishsay: aysh

isiXhosa / isiZulu

Oh dear, wow, yikes.

“Eish, the kick-off is at 5am.”

Geessay: khee-uhs (throaty g)

Afrikaans

Spirit, team vibe, passion.

“The gees at the pub was unreal.”

Hayibosay: hi-EE-boh

isiZulu

No way! Disbelief.

“Hayibo, yellow card?!”

Howzit

SA English

Hello, how’s it going?

“Howzit, Bok fans everywhere!”

Ja-neesay: yah-near

Afrikaans

Literally “yes-no”. Means: well, that’s life, isn’t it.

“Rain at Twickenham? Ja-nee.”

Jislaaiksay: yis-LIKE

Afrikaans

Wow! Blimey!

“Jislaaik, he’s quick.”

Kom ons scrum

Afrikaans + rugby

“Come, let’s scrum.” Our invitation to join in.

“Kom ons scrum, the pack is waiting.”

Ladumasay: la-DOO-mah

isiZulu

“It thunders!” A goal or try celebration.

“Kolbe scores! LADUMA!”

Lekkersay: LEK-uh

Afrikaans

Great, nice, tasty, lovely.

“That was a lekker win.”

Mzansisay: m-ZAN-see

isiXhosa

South Africa (from “umzantsi”, the south).

“Mzansi represent!”

Now-now / just now

SA English

Now-now: soon. Just now: at some point. Maybe.

“I’ll be there now-now (in 10 minutes). Just now (who knows).”

Rooibossay: ROY-boss

Afrikaans

Red-bush tea. Caffeine-free, so it can’t save your 5am.

“Rooibos at the pub? Shame.”

Sharp-sharp

SA township slang

Cool, okay, goodbye. All good.

“See you Saturday. Sharp-sharp!”

Shame

SA English

Aw, sweet or aw, poor thing. Not actually shaming anyone.

“Shame, his first 5am kick-off.”

Vasbytsay: FUSS-bate

Afrikaans

“Bite down.” Hang in there, persevere.

“Ten minutes to go. Vasbyt, boys!”

Yebosay: YEH-boh

isiZulu

Yes!

“Yebo, we’re in the final.”

Pronunciations are friendly guesses for tongues everywhere, not a linguistics degree. Spotted one we’ve got wrong, or got a favourite we missed?Tell us, boet.