A Bellville mother’s determination to make her rugby-mad son’s dreams come true has paid off in spectacular fashion, thanks to a heartwarming community effort that saw the family win Pick n Pay’s coveted Collectabok promotion.
Ilze Bosman and her family have secured the ultimate rugby experience after completing their Collectabok card collection – including the elusive Golden Rassie Erasmus Card – with help from neighbours, friends, and their local community.
The win has delivered an unforgettable experience for seven-year-old Josia, who attended the Cape Town Rugby Sevens with his father Jaco, received a signed Springbok jersey, and has a behind-the-scenes Springbok change room tour lined up for 2026.
What makes this story truly special is how the Bellville community rallied behind the Bosman family. When physical albums sold out at their local Pick n Pay, the family turned to their street WhatsApp group, neighbours, and friends to help complete their collection.
“Even friends without grandchildren pitched in,” Ilze explains, describing how cards were swapped at Josia’s school and throughout their neighbourhood network. When physical albums became unavailable, the resourceful family completed their collection using Pick n Pay’s digital album option.
Josia, who can name most Springbok players and counts Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth among his favourites, was over the moon with the Rugby Sevens experience.
“Josia couldn’t stop talking when he and Jaco got home after Rugby 7’s. He had the time of his life,” beams proud mother Ilze.
Christmas comes early
The excited seven-year-old was initially confused about why he couldn’t meet his Springbok heroes at the Sevens tournament. “He wanted to know why it didn’t happen last weekend, as at first he did not understand the difference between the Rugby Sevens players and the Springboks,” laughs father Jaco.
But Josia won’t have to wait much longer – the family’s win includes a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Springbok change room during a 2026 match, where he’ll get to meet his rugby heroes in person.
For Ilze, the timing couldn’t be more perfect: “Even though I won the prizes, I gave them to Josia as his Christmas presents – better gifts he could not have asked for. A huge thank you to Pick n Pay for giving us an early Christmas.”
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