“It’s almost like getting a call from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus!” This is how Danie Strauss, auctioneer from Central Salesyard, felt about the extraordinary achievement to bring down the auction hammer on the world-record price for a Savanna ram, as well as the most expensive price ever for small stock in South Africa.
By Fredalette Uys
According to Strauss, who started his own independent auctioneering business, Central Salesyard, two and a half years ago, the price was a breakthrough for him in a highly competitive auctioneering industry, and it means “at least you’re in the mix”.
At the weekend’s prestigious Black Tie Blue Blood auction Strauss brought down the hammer on the highest bidders, Koenie and Marina Kotzé of Niekerkshoop, at the amount of R2.05 million for lot 88, a Savanna ram from the Maize Valley stud of Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts of Hoopstad in the Free State. This is a new world-record price for a Savanna goat and also the highest price ever for small stock at a South African auction.
According to Strauss no South African auctioneer has ever been involved in a similar price for small stock at an auction where two or more buyers determine the price. “All glory to the Lord who gave me the privilege of being part of this momentous occasion.”
Breeding material has value
Speaking from a soaking wet Hoopstad, where 160mm of rain fell between Sunday, 19 April and Tuesday, 21 April, Roberts says it is a huge achievement for the stud to get this price for the ram. It shows the genetics and quality of the animals play an important role in the value of an animal, rather than just meat.
“We didn’t think the price for the ram was going to come close to this record price, but it also shows that other breeders trust in your breeding material and that they are prepared to pay for genetics to take their stud forward.”
Roberts, primarily a crop farmer, also runs a Brangus, Boer goat, Kalahari Red and Savanna stud, as well as game.
The previous record price of R400 000 for a Savanna ram was paid in 2025 at the Royal Genetics auction for one of Roberts’ rams.
Strauss, together with Andries Volgraaff and Mac Hendrik Jordaan, started the Black Tie Blue Blood auction. Some of the country’s – and the world’s – leading Boer goat, Kalahari and Savanna stud farms offered some of their top breeding stock at the auction, held on 17 April at Die Eike in Rawsonville in the Western Cape. Herd animals were also offered at the auction. The broker was Vleissentraal, and the online auction was handled by SwiftVEE.
Also read: Records shatter at elite meat goat auction
Ideal ram
According to Strauss, breeders strive to breed an animal with the right combination of characteristics that, in balance, bears the best meat, is the longest and largest and is the best on its legs.
“In the Savanna breed, this is the first ram sold in the industry that is closest to the ideal picture.”
Roberts agrees that the ram has several good qualities that the industry needs and adds that show performance also plays an important role, with this ram being named 6-tooth Savannah Champion at the World Show in 2025.
According to both Strauss and Roberts, good progress has been made in the Savanna industry in the last year, especially in terms of the quality of the animals, and there are many good opportunities in this industry right now.
Technology gives a boost
The Black Tie Blue Blood auction is, according to Russel Luck, CEO of SwiftVEE, known for its exclusivity and strict selection processes, and annually attracts top breeders and serious buyers from all over the country.
“According to industry experts, the record price is a clear indication of the premium that buyers are willing to pay for proven genetic performance, adaptability and breeding value.”
He adds that technology, especially thanks to SwiftVEE’s online platform, made a significant contribution with more than 7 000 visitors attending the auction online, thus expanding the buyer base and increasing competition.
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Little chance of bidding in the millions
As an auctioneer, you practice to get into the millions, but you never get the opportunity, explains Strauss.
“You struggle to get into those numbers at a game auction, and here it happened in the small livestock industry,” laughs Strauss.
He says he was asked after the auction how he managed to jump into the R200 000s and R300 000s with the bids.
“The long and short of it is, you run with momentum. The bid started at R60 000, after which the bid went up in R10 000s to R120 000. Then the underbidder indicated he would offer R200 000, and then your increments jump to R50 000. When you get to R700 000, the increments become R100 000s and when you get to R1.3 million, R1.5 million is next, especially if the buyers bid on this type of momentum. With the last bid, the buyer asked for a smaller increment, which Strauss adjusted to, and that is how the price was fixed at R2.05 million.
Also read: Boer goat WhatsApp group grows into auction ring
Some of the other top prices for stud animals
Boer goat ram
Most expensive: R300 000.
Seller: Lukas Burger, Lukas Burger stud of Griekwastad.
Buyer: Lennon Nkosi of Mbombela.Average price: R67 272 (11 rams sold).
Boer goat ewe
Most expensive: R200 000.
Seller: Lukas Burger.
Buyer: Lennon Nkosi.Average: R42 216 (37 ewes sold)
Kalahari Red ram
Most expensive: R240 000.
Sellers: Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts, Maize Valley stud, Hoopstad.
Buyer: Pieter Ernst of Bona Bona Livestock, Wolmaransstad.Average: R91 666 (6 rams sold).
Kalahari Red ewes
Most expensive: R100 000. Sellers:
Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts.
Buyer: AH Meintjies.
Average: R36 266 (15 ewes sold)
Savannah ram
Most expensive (new SA record): R2 050 000.
Seller: Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts, Maize Valley stud.
Buyer: Koenie and Marina Kotze, Niekerkshoop.
Average: R545 000 (4 rams sold).
Savannah ewe
Most expensive: R100 000.
Sellers: Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts.
Buyer: Christiaan Labuschagne, Hakuna Matata, Hoopstad.
Average: R56 166 (6 ewes sold).
Also read:
This is what you must know about goats
Giving goat farming a go
Understanding consumer preferences for goat meat
The ideal meat goat: A guide for farmers
