On the first day of the Soccer World Cup last year, I was in a town called Exeter, in England. It’s not very large: there’s the High Street with a row of shops, a cathedral, and – owing to a large student population – a number of pubs.

On the afternoon of the first match, I was feeling a little homesick as I donned my Bafana shirt, bribed my flatmate from Hong Kong to wear a South African flag, and dragged him down to the Imperial to watch the opening game. We ordered pints, and settled down in a room full of Englishmen to watch one of the huge screens.

As the team started to sing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica, I found myself standing up. Across the room, another girl rose, and seeing us, two men in bright yellow Bafana shirts also got to their feet. We sang along (without forgetting any words…) and sat down to amused applause from the English.

I had a lovely time, but I never really got over missing the World Cup at home. There’s nothing quite like watching sport in a pub filled with people who’re all supporting the right team. Which is why this year you’ll find me in a restaurant or pub for all the rugby games – no matter how early the whistle blows, or how the Boks might be playing!

Since many of the fixtures are at the crack of dawn, we’ve put together a mammoth list of places that have confirmed they’ll be screening the matches, where you can choose between scrambled eggs and cappuccino or burgers and beer.

Johannesburg

2B Cuisine
Norman and Simon Beggs offer some of the best breakfasts in town.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The special rugby breakfast.
Price: R55? ?

Chefs in Motion
It’s a lively hub in Lonehill with a big-screen TV.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The World Cup Shebeen Experience includes a bacon and egg roll before the game, your first quart and a traditional braai after the final whistle.
Price: R150

Deli on High Street (Fire and Ice)
Breakfast includes fresh flaky croissants, muffins, large open sandwiches and coffee.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: One of the breakfast specials on offer.

Giles
They offer an exceptional selection of wine and beer for sipping during the game.
Watch: All the games after 9:00am.
Eat: The breakfast special on offer.

Pretoria

A’la Turka Speciality Restaurant
Get a group together and create your own meal from the hot and cold meze menu.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: One of the specials on offer.

Barn 52
The seemingly haphazard menu caters for appetites from morning to late at night, and offers options that will see you through a relaxing few hours.
Watch: All the games.
Eat: Get a complimentary coffee with every breakfast.

The Blue Crane
The surrounding park and restaurant deck overlooking a tiny nature reserve makes it great for families.
Watch: The TV will be switched on at the customer’s request.
Eat: The Bushveld Breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, livers, mushrooms and toast for R75.
Or: Bacon, eggs, tomato and toast for R40.

Ciao Baby Cucina
The atmosphere is relaxed and informal.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The breakfast buffet.
Price: R69 for adults; R30 for children under 10

Coco Bistro
The ambience is casual, yet elegant.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Fire in your Belly breakfast (two eggs, bacon, sirloin steak, lamb chop, mushrooms, boerewors, tomato, chips or polenta, toast, jam and bottomless filter coffee) for R99.
Kangaroo Paw chicken livers with peri peri rice for R38.
Lily-Livered bangers and mash with onion gravy for R45.
Baa Baa lamb chops and mash with onion gravy for R90.
Spear of the Nation: 300g double decker homemade burger, chips and onion rings for R60.

Ed’s Diner
A ’70s-style diner with retro posters and splashes of over-the-top colour.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The all-American steak breakfast.
Price: R55?

Fezorati Coffee Emporium and Bedouin Braai Tent ?
Guests looking for something a little more exciting can enjoy the vibey Bedouin braai area. Think charcoal fires and boerewors rolls after a busy week at the office.
Watch: All of the games.
Competition: Enjoy ten different beverages on the competition card during the duration of the World Cup. Win one of six supporter jerseys.

Madison’s Café
Tuck into a nourishing Florentine breakfasts.
Watch: Games on Saturdays. (They’ll switch on the television if the customers request to watch any of the other games.)
Eat: The New-York-on-the-go breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomato and gravy.
Price: R25

Villa San Giovanni ?
The café has television screens perfect for the dads to slip away to watch the games.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The buffet breakfast.
Price: R69

Durban  

Billy the Bums
This is a favourite watering hole of rugby players, supporters and other manly types.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Breakfast specials on offer.

Cubana
Part of a popular nationwide franchise, its vibe is sexy and the food is divine.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The Rise and Shine breakfast of two eggs, toast and bacon.
Price: R25

Hemingway’s Bistro

The oyster dishes and tapas make great snacks while watching the games.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The poached eggs with mushrooms, chakaklaka, sautéed potatoes, olive oil and rosemary.
Price: R28

Joe Cool’s
Joe Cools has a marquee especially for live rugby matches and special sporting events.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Choose from a special breakfast menu.

Riverside Café
This modern plantation-style room is lofty and the menu features something for everyone.?
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Breakfast includes poached eggs, bacon and roasted tomato.?
Price: R55

Unity Brassiere and Bar
Suggested by the name, Unity is a place for communal eating, with appetisers and local treats like boerewors on platters.
Watch: All the games, except on Sundays.
Eat: A chicken prego roll (R45) or steak prego roll (R55) for brunch.

Zack’s (Wilsons Wharf)
Zack’s has a laid-back vibe and a great breakfast meal to complement the rugby games.
Watch: All the Springbok games.
Eat: Zack’s breakfast with two eggs, bacon, toast, strips of steak and roasted tomato.
Price: R63

Cape Town

&Union
A popular watering hole for after-work drinks on a Friday, or to watch the match on the big screen. Breakfast specials are often on offer.
Watch: All the matches.?
Eat: The poached eggs and bacon breakfast with orange juice and coffee.?
Price: R60

Arnold’s
This Kloof Street institution is renowned for its cheap but excellent fry-ups (from eggs Benedict to omelettes) for which it opens at the crack of dawn.?
Watch: All the games.
Eat: The chef’s special of full English breakfast with cappuccino, juice or beer for R35. Or arrive before 7:00am and get the Early Bird Breakfast for R11.?

Banana Jam Cafe
Banana Jam is a vibey Caribbean restaurant and cocktail bar in a garden setting in Harfield Village, Kenilworth.?
Watch: All the Springbok games.?
Eat: The crispy chicken and bacon burger for R69, the fat Rasta pizza for R76 or the Caribbean lamb for R79.?  ?

Barocca
There are screens placed around the venue for sports lovers.?
Watch: All of the games.?
Drink: Specials will be available in partnership with SAB.?

Café Roux
Expect slap-up breakfast fare and lunchtime plates laden with the likes of Peppadew-and-coriander-studded calamari, fragrant curries and burgers.?
Watch: All the Springbok games.?
Eat: The all-day breakfast (two fried eggs, bacon and rocket with mild Asian sauce on ciabatta bread).?
Price: R62? ?

Caveau Wine Bar and Deli

Caveau Courtyard in Heritage Square will have TVs outside and heaters in the mornings.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: A full English breakfast with a pint of beer or coffee.
Price: R60

Deer Park Café
Breakfast, lunches and light meals from burgers to salads are served in adult and child-sized portions. There will be specials on offer during the World Cup.
Watch: All the games.
Eat: The breakfast sandwich with bacon and egg.
Price: R20??

Fireman’s Arms
This pub is almost always packed. Big screens show all the major sporting events and replica sports jerseys cover any available space.
Watch: All the games.
Eat: The full English breakfast.
Price: R42

Frieda’s on Bree
Although the characteristic quirkiness extends inside to the 50s kitchen cupboards and collectables, when it comes to the food it’s all about tasty simplicity.
Watch: All the games.
Eat: The Rugby World Cup special of bacon, eggs, tomato and toast.
Price: R26

Jamaica Me Crazy
The upstairs balcony has sweeping views of the harbour and is a great spot to chill with friends while watching the screens.
Watch: All the Springbok games from 11:00am.
Eat: Specials will be on offer.

Long Street Café
The bistro-style menu caters for all tastes throughout the day with a selection of breakfast dishes, and plenty of salads and sandwiches for a light lunch.
Watch: All the games after 9:00am.
Eat: One of the breakfast specials.

Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery
There are several large flat-screen TVs located in the upstairs section of Mitchells, making it a popular pub for watching sport.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Specials relating to the countries playing that day will be on offer.

Quay Four
The deep deck, with its great view of all the comings and goings in the harbour, is delightful in this unpretentious spot.
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: The breakfast specials. Try the breakfast burger with 200g beef patty, egg and chips, or the admiral breakfast of steak with bacon and eggs (both for R59).
Drink: Buy five Castle draughts and get the sixth free.

Rick’s Café Américain
Rick’s has it all: a great bar, vibey staff and scrummy food.
Watch: All the games after 10:00am.
Eat: the Rick’s Lake breakfast (bacon, egg, mushroom, grilled tomato and pita bread).
Price: R32

Toad in the Village
Typical pub grub is given a facelift here. The extensive menu has everything from French onion soup or chicken livers for starters to venison pie, spare ribs, steak, and green curry for mains.
Watch: All the games.
Eat: They don’t serve breakfast, but their pizzas, burgers and ribs are very popular.

Paarl

Jeffrey’s Bay

Café Kima
Watch: All of the games.
Eat: Specials will be on offer during each match.

By Katharine Jacobs
Research by Kelly Pluke