There is something about a polo field in the Cape Winelands that makes an ordinary afternoon feel just a little more special.
Жанна Алимкулова / Pexels / Illustrative purposes only
The mountains sit quietly in the distance, horses thunder across the grass and, for a few hours, the usual pace of the day gives way to something slower and more considered.
That is the setting for Absa Du Champ, which returns to Val de Vie Estate on 6 February 2027 following its inaugural event in 2026. The experience brings together polo, contemporary African art, food, wine, fashion and design, with each element forming part of its four-part programme: Art, Style, Flavour and Polo.
Rather than simply being a day at the polo, Du Champ is designed around everything that surrounds the sport.
The Art Chapter
One of the more interesting parts of the experience is The Art Chapter.
Presented with Gallery MOMO, the chapter focuses on contemporary African art and collectible works, bringing the gallery experience into the Winelands. The partnership also gives the event a cultural dimension that feels distinctly different from the usual polo-day format.
Gallery MOMO has spent more than two decades building a platform for contemporary African artists, with galleries in Johannesburg and Cape Town and a focus on artists from Africa and the diaspora.
At the inaugural Du Champ in 2026, the Art Chapter featured works by artists including Blessing Ngobeni, Vivien Kohler, Phoka Nyokong, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun and Bevan de Wet. The exhibition was curated by Gallery MOMO director Monna Mokoena and Absa Art Museum curator Dr Paul Bayliss.
The 2027 artists and exhibition details have not yet been announced, but the Art Chapter is returning with a new creative direction.
Polo, with a little more around it
Of course, the horses remain the main attraction.
The Polo Chapter anchors the day at Val de Vie, where the sport unfolds beneath the Paarl-Franschhoek mountains. The inaugural event included both men’s and women’s matches, with Royal Reins winning the ladies’ match 6-5 and Inland Lakers taking the men’s 10-goal final 7-6.
Even if you’re not a devoted polo follower, it’s easy to understand the appeal once the match begins. The quiet of the field disappears almost instantly as horses and riders move at speed, chasing the ball before everything settles again.
And then there’s everything happening around the field. The 2026 edition included a 12-course culinary experience by chef Johnny Hamman, wine and champagne tastings, contemporary art and luxury showcases.
For the 2027 edition, the organisers have confirmed that the Art, Style, Flavour and Polo chapters will return, although the full programme is yet to be revealed.
A Winelands day with a difference
There is no shortage of beautiful ways to spend a day in the Cape Winelands. What makes Du Champ different is the way it brings several of them together.
With its second edition arriving in February 2027, Absa Du Champ is shaping itself into more than an annual polo event. It’s becoming a reason to slow down, dress up and spend an afternoon seeing the Winelands from a slightly different perspective.
And that feels surprisingly refreshing. There is no pressure to choose between polo, art, food or wine. They all sit within reach, leaving you free to follow whichever part of the day catches your attention. You can watch the horses race across the field, linger over a plate, wander through the art or simply take in the mountains. The choice is yours.
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