For many South Africans, few childhood memories are as exciting as watching contestants race through a toy store, frantically filling a trolley before time ran out. Now, one of the country’s most iconic retail campaigns is back.
As part of its birthday celebrations, Toys R Us South Africa has relaunched Reggie’s Rush, giving families the chance to experience the legendary 60-second trolley dash that captured the imagination of a generation throughout the 1990s.
The campaign runs from 25 June to 10 August 2026, and combines a nostalgic favourite for parents with an exciting new experience for both kids and adults. Each week, one lucky winner will have just 60 seconds to race through a Toys R Us store and load their trolley with up to R10,000 worth of toys.
While the return of Reggie’s Rush is guaranteed to spark memories for adults who grew up watching K-TV, the campaign is equally about creating new family traditions.
“Reggie’s Rush is one of those campaigns that people still talk about years later,” says Catherine Jacoby, Marketing Manager at Toys R Us South Africa. “Parents remember the excitement of watching someone race through the aisles, dreaming about what they would choose if it were their turn, and bringing it back allows them to relive those memories while sharing that same sense of excitement with their own children.”
“Play has always been at the heart of who we are,” adds Jacoby. “Whether someone remembers Reggie’s Rush from their own childhood or is discovering it for the first time, the excitement is universal.”
“It’s about imagination, anticipation and creating memories that last long after the shopping trip is over,” she says. “As brands across the toy category increasingly revisit experiences that resonate across generations, this is more than a nostalgic revival as it reflects the enduring role of play in bringing families together.”
In addition to the individual winners, Toys R Us is also inviting customers to nominate a school of their choice for the chance to win R20,000 in cash, helping spread the joy of play into communities across South Africa.
It’s a simple entry mechanic, Jacoby notes. “Customers who spend R500 or more on Toys R Us products, either in-store or online, and are members of the Toys R Us Rewards Club will automatically have the opportunity to enter and stand a chance to win 1 of 5 ten-thousand-rand Reggie’s Rush trolley dashes.”
To enter:
In-store shoppers simply drop their till slip entry box, while qualifying online purchases are entered in accordance with the campaign terms and conditions.
“With parents embracing a wave of 1990s nostalgia and children discovering iconic experiences for the first time, Reggie’s Rush promises to once again become one of South Africa’s most anticipated family competitions,” Jacoby concludes.
For more information and full competition terms and conditions, visit the Toys R Us Reggie’s Rush campaign page: https://www.toysrus.co.za/reggies-rush.
