17 South African romantic picks for the month of love – and all year round

From running into an ex during a baecation to having to face not one but two monsters-in-law to planning the perfect wedding for other people but not finding The One for yourself, the characters in these South African series and movies have a rocky road to travel when it comes to their love lives – but that’s what makes them so entertaining to watch.

Fall in love with local by streaming these gorgeous shows and movies, all on Showmax.

1. Not My Type | Stream now

Church baddie Letsatsi has spent years designing wedding dresses while waiting for the perfect man God has in store for her. When her younger sister receives a marriage proposal, she becomes desperate. Her meticulously planned life, which should have included a husband by now, is not unfolding as she expected. Lorraine Moropa stars as Letsatsi, with Lulama Nyembezi as Thimothi, a former believer who turned bad boy after experiencing church hurt. Moagi Kai is Mhlonishwa, a fellow Christian who Letsatsi believes is her answered prayer.

2. Gebokste Liefde | Stream now

SAFTA winner Tarryn Wyngaard (Devil’s Peak) stars as divorced single mom Suma-Lee. When she’s fired from her job as a fashion designer, she reluctantly joins a boxing gym, where she finally finds the courage to stand up for herself and fight for what she wants: love. Jandré le Roux is her boxing coach, while model Roche Killian plays her ex, Dries. Dries is getting married again – to a model. Also look out for two-time Silwerskerm winner and three-time SAFTA nominee Erica Wessels showing off her comedic side as Suma-Lee’s boss.

3. Soos Pynappel Op Pizza | Stream from 14 February

Waldo and Becca have exactly three things in common. They are both chefs. They are both single. And they both equally dislike each other. When they end up at a wacky singles retreat in the mountains, fate keeps dumping them headfirst, together, into one crazy scenario after the other, forcing them to reexamine what they think they know about love. SAFTA winner Schalk Bezuidenhout and SAFTA nominee Kate Pinchuck co-star, in Afrikaans and English respectively.

4. Umakoti Wethu | Stream now

SAFTA winner Fulu Mugovhani stars in Umakoti Wethu as Khathu, who finds herself in crisis when her husband’s new job ignites old flames. SAFTA nominee Melusi Mbele co-stars as her husband Sizwe, with Kwanele Mthethwa as the woman caught in the middle.

5. Vir Altyd | Stream now

After their sparkling co-lead chemistry in Road to Your Heart, it’s difficult to imagine the on-screen couple Ivan Botha and DonnaLee Roberts with anyone else. Rekindling their romance in Vir Altyd, they play Hugo and Nina, childhood friends whose paths diverged only to reconnect in later life. Fates intervene the day before Nina’s wedding, throwing her and Hugo together as they begin again. This fun-loving romantic comedy adventure checks all the boxes for a satisfying summer love story with its handsome lead couple and the backdrop of the tropical island of Mauritius.

6. Matilda en Matthys | Stream now

In Matilda en Matthys, an ambitious young writer and a super-rational tech entrepreneur go on a series of fake dates as research for their novel and their dating app algorithm respectively. But even the smartest people can’t outsmart love. Matilda en Matthys stars Emma van Heyn and Adrian Steyn in the title roles, opposite the likes of Bertha le Roux-Wahl, Pietie Beyers and comedian Mojak Lehoko.

7. Intlawulo | Stream now

Intlawulo follows Bucks, who falls in love with his dead best friend’s sister while trying to make amends to her family. Khojane Morai and Kealeboga Masango co-star, with Momelezi Ntshiba as the dead boy’s father, a pastor who invites Bucks to join his church’s choir. The likes of Phumzile Mlangeni and SAFTA nominee Thembekile Komani are also in the cast. 

8. Forever Yena | Stream now

In Forever Yena, social media “it” couple Penny and Kwanda accidentally live stream their relationship meltdown just days before Valentine’s Day. Can they get back “perfect umjolo” in time to save each other, their fans’ belief in love, and a lucrative brand deal with a dating app? Thandi Make and Aluve Mjali co-star as Penny and Kwanda, opposite the likes of Sikelelwa Vuyeleni, Simphiwe Ngema, Miss SA finalist Luyanda Zuma and multi-award winner Refilwe Modiselle.

9. Eksie Perfeksie | Stream now

After impulsively moving in with his girlfriend, whom he barely knows, André finds out that Dalene is still friends with all of her ex-boyfriends. Intimidated by their presence, André tries to befriend them, only to discover that all of Dalene’s relationships follow the exact same pattern. Pietie Beyers and Emma van Heyn co-star, with Bobby van Jaarsveld and former Mister World South Africa Sean van Noordwyk as just two of Dalene’s many exes.

10. Troukoors | Stream now

Love is in the air and that means one thing: weddings! This Afrikaans Showmax Original comedy series sees well-intending wedding planner Jessica (Ilse-Lee van Niekerk) and her besties go on a rollercoaster ride of emotions – and relationships – as they try to make it through the day without giving up on love. There’s everything from wedding-day jitters and speed-dating, to blind dates, dating apps and just trying to find someone to love you for who you are! Loads of local fan favourites star – Kevin Smith, Armand Aucamp, Lea Vivier, Blyde Smit, Melt Sieberhagen and more!

11. No Love Lost | Stream now

Hope Mbhele plays Amahle in this romcom movie. Amahle is going on one of those fancy-schmancy romantic getaways for her anniversary … until she literally walks face-first into her ex-boyfriend Lwazi (Pallance Dladla) and his new girlfriend. Now those feelings are flooding back to Amahle and she’s got the hots for Mr Wrong all over again. She’s not going to know what to do with herself when he proposes double-dates while they’re all vaycaying together!

12. Welcome To The Family | Stream now

Yoh – nevermind a mother-in-law, Lerato’s (Nolo Seabi) about to get two monsters-in-law when her boyfriend Vusi (Siphesihle Vasi) gets down on bended knee to pop the question. That’s just the start of her drama when they welcome the two older matriarchs into their home and Vusi’s secrets come out the closet – for starters, those stories he’s been telling about not having cash … not so true – he’s rolling in dough. His family also aren’t as open-minded as he’s told his beloved and she’s going to have every ounce of patience tested as the old ladies try to rule the roost and control their son.

13. Love Heist

Falling hook, line and sinker for someone can be dangerous for one’s heart, because there are so many catfishes out there looking for a fool to con. But the reverse happens in this fun crime caper romcom because conwoman Tsholo (Katlego Setlhare) is about to get all loved up with the guy she’s working over, Kabelo (Cornet Mamabolo), and she’s going to have to choose: find love at last and get to be happy in life… or continue being pushed around and controlled by her crime queenpin sister.

14. A Safe Bet

There’s nothing wrong with being career driven and making a name doing what you love. But what happens to your love life when you’re too focused on the boardroom or your business and don’t look for a boyfriend? Ask Pearl (Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa), because that’s her dilemma in this Sesotho-language, English-subtitled drama. She’s SA’s hottest attorney and everyone wants a piece of her time… but she’s realising that she has nothing to show in matters of the heart, and that’s something Pearl wants to change ASAP.

15. Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word

This romantic drama hits hard because the three lead characters are looking for love, happiness and success in Egoli – aka Joburg – and that’s a hat-trick that doesn’t always happen. Nandi (Mmabatho Montsho), Zaza (Khanyi Mbau) and Princess (Renate Stuurman) are looking for the missing touch to their lives and they’re not letting anyone get in the way as they paint the town red by night and take on the business world during the day.

16. Mrs Right Guy

You can run but you can’t hide when Cupid’s in the mood to smack you with love. Gugu (Dineo Moeketsi) doesn’t know it yet, but her suitor is right around the corner and unlike all the other guys who’ve tried to win her heart, this one’s going to succeed no matter how much Gugu tries to block her wanna-bae. If you don’t believe in love because “all men are dogs” like Gugu says, watch this space!

17. Vir Die Voëls

This Afrikaans-language, English-subtitled movie is based on Irma Humpel’s short story Slim Vang Sy Baas. Irma (Simone Nortmann) is a no-nonsense young woman who’s never conformed to society’s standards. She doesn’t enjoy dancing with guys. She used to fight with boys throughout school – and leave them with bloody noses because she enjoyed it. She doesn’t want to get married and spend her life being subservient to any man, let alone the one standing in front of her at the altar in front of their family and friends. This is her story. And it’s a fun ride!

Want more romance?

Premiering on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, Colin From Accounts S2 was Rotten Tomatoes’ second-best romance series of last year, and third-best returning series overall. The Australian romcom picks up with Ashley and Gordon needing to work out whether they want a relationship … or if they just wanted a dog. Binge Season 1 while you wait. A generation will want to relive the love triangle between Dawson, Joey and Pacey in Dawson’s Creek S1-6. The boxset is streaming from Friday, 28 February. 

Plus, Showmax gets real with a clutch of romantic reality shows on Valentine’s Day, 14 February: Love Island: All Stars S1, with fan favourites swanning about a house in Franschhoek; Love Island Games, featuring faves from around the globe; Love Island USA S6 and Love Island UK S11. Plus, you can catch The Bachelorette S21, first on Showmax, from Wednesday, 19 February. 

See what else is new on Showmax here.