The 34th annual Championship Boerewors competition is calling on backyard braai masters and seasoned sausage makers to compete for South Africa’s most coveted culinary crown and a prize package worth more than R720 000.

Shoprite and Checkers have officially opened entries for this year’s Championship Boerewors competition, giving aspiring boerewors champions until 12 June to submit their secret recipes.

The stakes are high. The winner will drive away in a brand-new Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT valued at over R700 000, collect R20 000 in cash, and earn the prestigious title of Boerewors Champion. Their winning recipe will also be sold at Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide, joining the ranks of South Africa’s number one Championship Boerewors – a firm customer favourite that has been combining authentic South African recipes with premium-quality ingredients for three decades.

Second place takes home R50 000 in cash, whilst third prize awards R30 000.

Reigning champion Roberto-Rui Agrela (33) from Paarl is encouraging boerewors enthusiasts to take the plunge.

“It was an unforgettable event from start to finish. A highlight was being able to meet people from across the country who share the same passion for boerewors and having the opportunity to learn from talented contestants and judges,” Agrela said.

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“If you have an opportunity to enter, my advice is to just go for it. If you put in the hard work and back yourself, amazing things can happen, so don’t be afraid to take the chance. It happened to me.”

The competition demands full mastery of the boerewors-making process. Participants must demonstrate expertise in balancing herbs and spices, correctly processing the meat, and producing well-stuffed, evenly cooked boerewors.

An expert panel of top South African chefs will rigorously assess each entry. All submissions must comply with traditional boerewors guidelines and will be vetted for authenticity, technique and adherence to competition standards before progressing to the next stage.

Following validation, judges will select a shortlist of 30 recipes, which will then be narrowed down to the top 10 finalists. These finalists will compete in a live cook-off, where the judging panel will crown the 2026 Boerewors Champion.

For more information or to enter the competition, visit the official Championship Boerewors website.

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