The stage is set, the ticket sales are surging, and the atmosphere at Ellis Park is about to reach a fever pitch. As the Springboks kick off their highly anticipated 2026 international home season against England this Saturday, SA Rugby has officially unveiled the powerhouse vocalists tasked with delivering the pre-match national anthems.
With an electric, near-capacity crowd expected in Johannesburg, the pre-match rituals promise to be an emotional masterclass before the heavyweights collide on the turf.
Meet the Anthem Singers
South African National Anthem: Jodi Fredericks
Taking the microphone for Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika is Cape Town’s very own Jodi Fredericks. An accomplished singer, songwriter, and session vocalist with over a decade of industry experience, Fredericks is a formidable force in the South African jazz and neo-soul scenes.
- Accolades: Fredericks shot to prominence after winning the Grand West and Heart 104.9 Open Mic Jazz Competition and reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious SAMRO Overseas Scholarship.
- Commercial Success: Her hit track “Better Off (Without You)”—a collaboration with production duo Do Not Disturb (DND)—enjoyed massive airplay on national stations like KFM and Heart FM, alongside earning international playlisting features on Apple Music.
English National Anthem: Thabiso Masemene
Performing God Save the King for the visiting side is the world-renowned operatic tenor Thabiso Masemene. Known for his extraordinary vocal range, Masemene’s illustrious career spans traditional classical opera, sacred music, and international musical theatre.
- Global Footprint: A crucial member of the highly successful The Gaabo-Motho Tenors, Masemene is no stranger to massive global productions. He famously performed the role of Ubaldo Piangi in the Phantom of the Opera world tour, taking the stage for more than 500 shows across major cities in Asia and Europe.
SA Rugby Rubbishes “Low Attendance” Rumors
While the excitement builds on the musical front, SA Rugby has issued a stern, definitive statement addressing recent media speculation regarding poor ticket sales for the Ellis Park showpiece.
Initial reports wildly predicted a meager turnout of just 21,000 spectators—a claim the sporting body completely dismissed as “entirely erroneous and misinformed.”
“SA Rugby hopes to get close to the historic average against England in SA of 91% of the stadium’s capacity in a market in which tickets are on sale for four Test matches and two provincial matches against the touring All Blacks. Assertions of lack of interest are unfounded and not supported by the actual sales data.”
With local fans eager to see the world champions back in action on home soil, a thunderous atmosphere is guaranteed when the battle between the Springboks and England kicks off at 17:40 on Saturday.
