12 August 2025
After weeks of fierce competition, the wait is finally over: ten of the country’s most talented cooks have mastered the perfect balance of flavour, tradition, and heart to land them in the Grand Finale of this year’s Shoprite and Checkers Championship Boerewors Competition.
The competition continues to celebrate South Africa’s rich food heritage and love of traditional flavours. Since its launch in 1991, it has uncovered and awarded an array of home cooks and professional butchers with the sought-after title of Boerewors Champion, giving them with the opportunity to have their recipe sold in Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets nationwide.
But it is so much more than just a search for the best recipe - it is an institution that brings people together.
This year’s Top 10 finalists reflect the diversity and spirit of the competition, with entries from every corner of the country and all walks of life. Among them is first-time finalist Roberto Agrela, a car salesman from Paarl, who trusted his instincts and focused on quality ingredients to get his recipe right. “Boerewors is more than just a meal. It brings families and friends together, especially around the braai,” he says.
First-time finalist Roberto Agrela, a car salesman from Paarl.
From Swellendam, Emmerencia Pretorius, a rescue technician, says making it into the Top 10 is a dream come true and a celebration of the love she has poured into perfecting her recipe.
Representing Durban, Thandanani Buthelezi, a barista, is excited about being in the final. “Boerewors is a South African tradition. It connects us across all backgrounds,” he says.
Then there’s former title holder Tyron Adams, a chef from Wellington; Niekie Horn, a safe house administrator from De Aar; Keani van Drimmelen from Benoni, who recently completed her studies in psychology; Asheel Beharie, an entrepreneur from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal; and Ayanda Dyanse, a Meat Market Manager at Shoprite Humansdorp.
Emmerencia Pretorius, a rescue technician from Swellendam.
For some, the competition is a family affair, most notably the Blaauw family from Wellington. For 18-year-old matric learner Xavier Blaauw, it’s his third time in the Top 10, and this year he’s competing alongside his father, Roland Blaauw, an Application Support Specialist for the Shoprite Group.
The final cook-off, judged by butchery experts and professional chefs from the South African Chefs Association (SACA), takes place on Saturday, 23 August and the winning recipe will be available in Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide from Friday, 5 September.
This year’s prizes are substantial: first prize includes a Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT and R20 000 in cash, while second and third place winners will receive R50 000 and R30 000 in cash, respectively.
Read what our Top 10 finalists had to say:
“Entering this competition has become something of a family challenge. Every year we all give it a go just to see who can make it the furthest. This is my fourth time entering and my third time in the Top 10.”
- Xavier Blaauw, 18-year-old matric learner
“This competition means the world to me. It’s a celebration of culture, community, and perseverance. Being in the Top 10 validates all the work I’ve put into perfecting my recipe and building something that represents my roots and creativity.”
- Thandanani Buthelezi, a barista from KwaMashu, KZN
“Boerewors is a staple in South African homes. It’s more than food; it’s tradition, culture, and a way of bringing people together. Whether it’s at a braai, a family gathering, or a celebration, boerewors is always part of the memory and part of our national identity.”
- Keani van Drimmelen, former psychology student from Benoni
“For me, it’s more than just sausage. Boerewors is the perfect blend of different flavours, with versatility and tradition in every bite.”
- Niekie Horn, a safe house administrator from De Aar
“I first heard about the Championship Boerewors competition back in 2006 when I started at Shoprite. Since then, I’ve entered a few times and I’ve seen my recipe improve year after year.”
- Ayanda Dyanse, a Meat Market Manager at Shoprite Humansdorp
“Last year my dad made it into the Top 10 and took me with him to Cape Town. After seeing the excitement, the buildup and the vibe of the competition, I was really inspired to enter again.”
- Asheel Beharie, an entrepreneur from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal
“I didn’t even make the Top 30 in 2021,” he says. “But I kept refining the recipe. Winning in 2023 was incredible and now I’m back to see if I can do it again.”
- Former title holder Tyron Adams, a chef from Wellington
“A few years ago, we started this crazy family challenge to see who could go the furthest in the competition each year. Making it again proves the first time wasn’t just luck, I might not be too bad at combining different tastes.”
- Roland Blaauw, an Application Support Specialist for the Shoprite Group
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