A national competition win celebrates the bartender, the winning outlet and exceptional South African hospitality ahead of the global finals in London.

Samkelo Gumbi, a bartender from Waxy O’Connors Sunningdale in KwaZulu-Natal, is South Africa’s 2026 Stella Artois Perfect Serve National Champion. He won the national final at Sass The Venue in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, on 14 October, earning an all-expenses-paid trip to London to represent South Africa at the global finals during the 2027 Wimbledon Championships.

As an official beer partner of The Championships, Wimbledon, Stella Artois celebrates tennis’s devotion to quality, craft and ritual. Like a great tennis serve, the Perfect Serve demands precision. Its five-step ritual, from preparing the signature chalice and pouring to skimming the foam and presenting the beer, makes the experience more than a perfect pour. The competition recognises bartenders who deliver exceptional service every day.

Samkelo has spent a year and eight months at Waxy O’Connors, where he describes colleagues as family. The family-run authentic style Irish pub group, founded in Westville in 2001, has six outlets across KwaZulu-Natal. Co-owners Christo Patinios and Felix Schmitz champion hands-on management, attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere. The win gives the team and guests a milestone to celebrate while bringing international recognition to the business.

Co-Owner Christo Patinios said: “We are incredibly proud of Samkelo and of the entire team. Our people are at the heart of this business, and every detail of service matters. This win belongs to our staff and guests.”

Samkelo Gumbi, the 2026 Perfect Serve National Champion, said: “I am grateful to Stella Artois for this opportunity. Representing KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in London means so much. Waxy O’Connors is like family, and I want to make everyone proud, especially my mom and for her support, encouraging me to compete with passion.”

Stella Artois has trained more than 3,000 South African bartenders through a nationwide upskilling initiative, helping elevate service across bars and restaurants. The competition reflects that wider ambition, investing in local talent and raising hospitality standards for customers across the country.


Vaughan Croeser, VP of Marketing at South African Breweries, said: "The Perfect Serve represents our commitment to quality and to every guest's experience. As South Africa’s number one premium draught beer, we are investing in the people who bring that quality to life. By upskilling over 3,000 bartenders, we are raising hospitality standards and creating opportunities for local talent. A South African champion heading to the global finals in London shows that world-class excellence can begin behind any bar."

As South Africa’s number one premium draught beer, we are investing in the people

As Samkelo prepares for London, Waxy O’Connors and its customers can celebrate a local standard of service now recognised nationally.