Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams will lead South Africa into the World Cup on Thursday, while his family will support him from home.
The family is expected to watch from the couch, with his wife Roshni helping keep the mood calm at home by preparing hotdogs for the children, their match-day favourite.
And to manage the stress levels at home, mom Roshni is stacking up hotdogs for the kids — their match-day favourite.
“I think I get panic attacks silently on their part,” she told IOL ahead of SA’s opening match against Mexico.
“My anxiety levels are through the roof this morning.”
Almost 15,000km away, hubby Williams will, together with the rest of Hugo Broos’ team, walk out into a hostile cauldron to face tournament co-hosts Mexico at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, where more than 80,000 fans are expected to pack the stands.
The 9pm kick-off is highly reminiscent of the 2010 World Cup opener, when these same two sides clashed at Soccer City in Johannesburg during Africa’s historic first turn as tournament hosts.
SA are making their fourth World Cup appearance and their first outside home soil since 2002.
Leading the side is 34-year-old shot-stopper Williams, who was born in Gqeberha, the very same city where his love story with Roshni began.
She was around 11 years old when they first met — two kids from the same street.
“We became best of friends,” she said.
“We always played soccer and cricket together in the street.”
He left for the SuperSport United academy not long after, but they stayed in contact until Cupid shot his arrow and the two fell in love.
They have been together ever since, with Roshni making the move up to Johannesburg in 2012.
“It was off and on until we made it official,” she said.
Williams became Bafana Bafana captain in 2021 and joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022.
He made history at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by becoming the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single shootout.
Those heroics earned him a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy, making him the first shot-stopper from an African club to receive the prestigious nod.
Roshni said she felt anxious but excited.
She will watch the game at home with the couple’s two children, a 13-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter.
On match nights, she said, their son does most of the talking.
“Usually our son asks all the questions, and I just sit and listen,” she said.
“I always share my thoughts after the match.”
As for Williams himself, Roshni said he was completely relaxed, almost frustratingly so.
“Overall, always chilled,” she said.
“I spoke with him this morning and he was doing fine.
“He is excited, he can’t wait for kick-off.
“He asked us what we wanted from the game, and our daughter said she wanted a save, our boy said he wanted an assist, while I said a clean sheet, please, God willing.”
As for what happens if Bafana score, she admitted her loyalties lie between the posts.
“I don’t know, I think I tend to cheer louder for saves than goals,” she said.
“I know goals win games, but for me, the saves matter just as much.”
She was more candid when asked about the side of the tournament that fans never see.
“For me, I think it’s the sacrifice,” she said.
“Being away from home is never easy, especially the fact that I have both kids with me while he has to be on the other side of the world alone.
“Also, the emotions behind the scenes.
“People see the 90 minutes on the field, but they don’t see the nerves, the waiting, the sacrifices and how much your heart is in every moment.
“You never really get used to it, but you couldn’t be prouder.”
Thursday’s match comes with a heartbreaking coincidence for Williams.
His older brother Marvin was killed in a car crash in April 2010, just two months before SA played this exact same Mexico team in that famous opener.
The crash occurred when a truck veered into oncoming traffic and struck the vehicle Marvin was travelling in head-on.
Ronwen was 18 at the time and even considered quitting football altogether.
“He didn’t, and every time he makes a save, he looks to the sky, his way of speaking to Marvin, whom he calls his guardian angel,” she said.
Roshni said his brother’s memory remained very present in the family.
“He still speaks of him,” she said.
“Sometimes our son will ask him questions about how he used to be when he was still alive.”
As for what’s on the menu tonight, she quickly said: “Hotdogs.”
She had a message for the partners watching from couches across SA: “To all the wives, moms and partners watching from home, we’re all in this together.
“Feel every emotion, cheer as loud as you can, and continue supporting your loved ones.
“Your encouragement means more than you know.”