Sport in South Africa

Sport plays an important role in the culture of South Africa. The three most popular sports there are cricket, football, and rugby union. These sports reflect the country's history with early British influence. About 70% of people in South Africa are interested in football, making it the most popular sport, followed by rugby union and cricket.

For many years during the apartheid era, South Africa could not take part in international sports because of sanctions. After apartheid ended, the country began competing globally again. South Africa is one of the few countries to have taken part in world cups for all three of these major sports—cricket, football, and rugby union. Other countries like England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are also in this group. South Africa has hosted big events such as the 1995 Rugby World Cup, 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2007 ICC World Twenty20, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

History

See also: Sporting boycott of South Africa during the apartheid era

South Africa could not take part in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo because of its unfair policies at that time. This ban lasted until 1992. During these years, some athletes, like Zola Budd and Kepler Wessels, went to other countries to compete. Others, such as Myrtle Bothma, a top runner, continued competing in South Africa.

Some sports teams visited South Africa during this time to play against the Springbok rugby and cricket teams. In 1977, leaders of the Commonwealth agreed to discourage their athletes from competing with South African teams as a way to support efforts against unfair policies.

Regulation

The National Sport and Recreation Act from 1998 helps improve and organize sports in South Africa. It works to make sports fair for everyone and solves problems between different sports groups. The act lets the Minister create rules, and groups like the Sports Commission help grow and support sports across the country. Anyone can join the Sports Commission if they follow its rules, but groups that treat people unfairly are not allowed.

In 2019, there was a plan to change the rules further. This would give the minister more control over sports teams and clubs. It would also create a special court to help solve arguments between sports groups and manage things like hosting big sports events.

The role of sport in the formation of a South African identity, post-Apartheid

Football is very popular in South Africa, especially among people of Indigenous African descent, but it is enjoyed by many South Africans of all backgrounds. It is the most popular sport in the country. South Africa was host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The South Africa national rugby union team, called the Springboks, is currently the best team in the world. Rugby has traditionally been most popular among white South Africans, but now people of all races enjoy it. South Africa hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the first time the event was held in Africa.

Cricket is popular with English-speaking white and Indian communities, but many others are now enjoying it too. The national cricket team is called The Proteas. South Africa hosted the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2007 ICC World Twenty20.

Other popular sports in South Africa include: athletics, basketball, boxing, golf, netball, softball, field hockey, swimming, surfing and tennis.

Women's sport

In South Africa, sport is often thought of as mainly for men, and there have been big differences in how men and women are treated in sports.

National teams and names

South Africa's colors in sports are green, gold, and white. The protea flower is the symbol worn by South African athletes. The rugby team is called the Springboks, and the cricket team is called the Proteas.

Elite level team sports

Rugby union

Main article: Rugby union in South Africa

Rugby union is very popular in South Africa, especially among white South Africans, but it is also gaining fans from other groups. The national team is called the Springboks. South Africa hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was a big moment for the country as it came out of the Apartheid era. The Springboks have won the Rugby World Cup four times: in 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2023, making them the only country to achieve this.

Rugby sevens

The South Africa national rugby sevens team, known as the Blitzbokke, compete in several important tournaments, including the World Rugby Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Summer Olympic Games, and the Commonwealth Games. They have won medals in these events and, as of 2024, have won the Sevens World Series four times. The South Africa Sevens is an annual tournament held in Cape Town.

Football

Main article: Soccer in South Africa

Football, called soccer in South Africa, is the most popular team sport among all South Africans. South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to do so. The national team, Bafana Bafana, played in the tournament but did not advance past the group stage. Despite this, the team has made three appearances in the FIFA World Cup and has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations eleven times.

Cricket

Main article: Cricket in South Africa

Cricket is another popular team sport in South Africa. The national team is known as the Proteas. South Africa is one of the top cricket-playing nations and is allowed to play test cricket. The team has had many successful players over the years and has competed in several international tournaments.

Field hockey

Major events: Hockey Africa Cup of Nations, Hockey World Cup and Women's Hockey World Cup

Field hockey has been played in South Africa for many decades. After being banned from international competitions during the Apartheid era, South Africa rejoined in 1993. Since then, both the men's and women's national teams have competed in many international tournaments, including the Olympics and the Hockey World Cup. The primary competition in South Africa is the Premier Hockey League, which includes teams for both men and women.

Other team sports

Australian rules football

See also: Australian rules football in South Africa

Australian rules football is not very popular in South Africa, but the country has a national team. In 2007, this team played against very good young players from Australia and won for the first time. There are yearly competitions, and the team also plays in a world tournament for countries outside of Australia.

Baseball

Baseball came to South Africa when Americans moved there a long time ago. South Africa is now a top team in Africa for baseball.

Basketball

See also: South Africa men's national basketball team

Basketball is becoming more popular in South Africa, especially with young people. The country's basketball group was started in 1992. The national team plays in big tournaments.

Beach volleyball

South Africa had a men's team that played in a big beach volleyball competition in 2018–2020.

Korfball

The South African group for korfball, a sport from the Netherlands, organized the world championship for this sport in Durban in 2019.

Lacrosse

In 2021, South Africa joined an international group for lacrosse, making it the 69th member. A project started in 2007 introduced lacrosse to many young people in small villages.

Rugby league

Main article: Rugby league in South Africa

Rugby league is not well known in South Africa, but the country has a national team. This team has played in world tournaments in 1995 and 2000. There are a few competitions for rugby league teams in the country.

Elite level individual sports

Athletics (track and field)

Major events: Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon

South Africa has many athletes who compete in athletics around the world and in big events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2011, a team from South Africa set a national record in a race at the World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea. In 2012, Caster Semenya won a gold medal in the women's 800m at the Olympic Games in London. That same year, Oscar Pistorius became the first runner with leg amputations to compete in the Olympic Games.

Boxing

As of March 2012, South Africa had produced 71 world champions in boxing since Willie Smith won a title in the early 1900s. By July 2022, this number had grown to 130 world champions. Boxing in South Africa has faced challenges, including limited funding and broadcasting support, which has sometimes forced boxers to compete overseas for major titles.

Cycling

Major events: Cape Argus Cycle Race and 94.7 Cycle Challenge

South Africa has a strong cycling tradition. Robert Hunter won a stage in the 2007 Tour de France. In 2015, the MTN-Qhubeka team became the first African-registered team to compete in the Tour de France, making history with several notable performances. Greg Minnaar is a four-time world champion in downhill mountain biking. Daryl Impey was the first African cyclist to wear the race leader's yellow jersey at the Tour de France in 2013.

Horseriding

South Africa hosts the Saddle Seat World Cup every four years, featuring competitions for American Saddlebred, Morgan horse, and South African Boerperd horse breeds. It is the top competition for Saddle seat Equitation riders.

Golf

South Africa is one of the major nations in golf. Bobby Locke was the first South African to win a major championship, winning The British Open four times in the 1940s and 1950s. Gary Player is perhaps the most famous South African golfer, winning all four major championships during his career in the 1960s and 1970s. Other successful South African golfers include Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel, who have all won major championships.

Mixed martial arts

South Africa hosts Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), the leading mixed martial arts organization in Africa. EFC events have attracted large viewerships and have served as a platform for fighters to advance to larger international stages.

Motorsports

South Africa has hosted the Formula One Grand Prix, with the most recent race in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit. Jody Schekter was the 1979 Formula One world champion. Motor rallying and off-road (4x4) racing are also popular in South Africa, with Giniel de Villiers winning the 2009 Dakar Rally. Brothers Brad Binder and Darryn Binder are well-known competitors in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

Swimming

Major events: Midmar Mile

The aQuelle Ocean Racing Series is Africa's largest beach event, featuring ocean swims of various distances held in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Nelson Mandela Bay River Mile is Africa's oldest open-water swimming event, started in 1924 and held annually in mid-February.

Tennis

South African players won the 1974 Davis Cup, though India refused to travel to South Africa for the final due to the apartheid regime. South Africa was banned from the competition from 1979 to 1995. Johan Kriek won the Australian Open in 1981, which remains South Africa's only Grand Slam victory to date. Other notable South African tennis players include Kevin Curren, Brian Norton, Irene Bowder Peacock, Eric Sturgess, Ian Vermaak, Sandra Reynolds, Cliff Drysdale, and Kevin Anderson.

Other individual sports

Canoeing

South Africa holds several big canoe races each year, such as the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Fish River Canoe Marathon, and the Berg River Canoe Marathon.

Obstacle course racing

A group called SA OCR helps grow the sport of obstacle course racing and supports athletes who want to race internationally. Big races like The Warrior Race attract almost 9,000 people each weekend. Participants run about 12 kilometers and face many fun obstacles along the way.

Sailing

South African Sailing oversees sailing in the country and is recognized by the International Sailing Federation. Popular boats include the GP14, 29er, Flying Fifteen, and ILCA. South African sailors have sometimes competed in the Olympic Games, starting with Rupert Ellis-Brown in the monotype competition.

Surfing

Main article: Surfing in South Africa

Many people enjoy surfing near big coastal cities like Cape Town and Durban.

Triathlon

South Africa has many great triathletes. Henri Schoeman won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Other top athletes include Conrad Stoltz, Raynard Tissink, Hendrick de Villiers, Richard Murray, and Dan Hugo. Every September, Port Elizabeth holds the PEople's Triathlon, featuring a swim, bike ride, and run.

Parasports

South Africa has many amazing athletes who face physical challenges. One famous example is Oscar Pistorius, who had both legs removed but still broke world records running 200 and 400 metres. Another is swimmer Natalie du Toit, who was the first person with an amputated limb to compete in the regular Olympics swimming events.

Traditional sports

Main article: Traditional games of South Africa

South Africa has some fun old games that have been played for a long time. One is called Jukskei, a folk sport that has been enjoyed for about 200 years. Another game is Morabaraba, which is supported by Mind Sports South Africa. These games show the rich culture and history of the country.

Major sports facilities

National stadiums

See also: List of stadiums in South Africa

• FNB Stadium (South Africa national football team) in Johannesburg can hold 94,736 people and was where the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup took place.
• Ellis Park Stadium (South Africa national rugby team) in Johannesburg can hold 62,567 people and was where the final match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup took place.
• Wanderers Stadium (South Africa national cricket team) in Johannesburg can hold 34,000 people and was where the final match of the 2003 Cricket World Cup took place.

Golf courses

• The Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club has hosted the South African PGA Championship since 2005 and the Joburg Open since 2007.
• Royal Cape Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Africa and was started in Cape Town in 1885.
• The Gary Player Country Club in Sun City hosts the yearly Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Athletic stadiums

• Johannesburg Stadium can hold 37,500 people and hosted the eighth IAAF World Cup in Athletics in 1998 and most of the 1999 All-Africa Games.