Bananas and Retroviral joined forces in a pitch-winning collaboration dubbed “RetroBananas”, partnering with director Paul Ward and the team at Giant Films to recreate defining moments from South African football history leading into FIFA World Cup 2026.
From AFCON ‘96 through to Bafana Bafana’s return to football’s grandest stage, this wasn’t simply a campaign about football. It was about loyalty. The fans who carried belief through near misses, heartbreak, rebuilding years and the moments that united a nation.
Every detail was painstakingly recreated: archival-inspired cinematography, period-correct jerseys, thousands of authentic makarapas, generational stadium culture and a soundtrack engineered to feel less like advertising and more like memory itself.
The emotional backbone of the film came from an inspired reinterpretation of Camille Yarbrough’s 1975 classic “Take Yo Praise”, famously sampled by Fatboy Slim in “Praise You”.
The original track’s themes of unwavering support and devotion perfectly mirrored the spirit of South African football fandom and Castle Lager’s decades-long commitment to Bafana Bafana.
Having previously worked with Yarbrough, the music team secured all rights to re-record the song, transforming it into something unmistakably South African.
Featuring an emotionally charged vocal performance by Mbali Makhoba from Freshlyground alongside a local choir, the track was reimagined and produced by Pressure Cooker Studios into a haunting, cinematic anthem layered with rich sound design and emotional texture; cheers to Marc Algranti our Music Supervisor.
The result is Castle Lager’s new platform:
“Here’s To The Fans That Stood The Test Of Time.”
Proud of this one.
Dedicated to the supporters who never left.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
