List of South African sportspeople

This is a list of South African sportspeople, organized by the sport which they are primarily known for.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

American football

Greg Joseph

Naas Botha

• Gary Anderson, kicker for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota and Tennessee (born 1959)
• Ezra Butler, linebacker for the New York Jets (born 1984)
• Greg Joseph (born 1994), placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League
• Jerome Pathon, wide receiver for Indianapolis, New Orleans and Atlanta (born 1975)
• Naas Botha, placekicker for Dallas Cowboys (born 1958)
• Dieter Eiselen, Offensive Lineman for the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans (born 1996)

Athletics

See also: South African athletes

L. J. van Zyl

• Ewald Bonzet (1951–2016), track and road runner
• Okkert Brits (born 1973), pole-vaulter
• Zola Budd (born 1966), marathon and long-distance runner
• Hestrie Cloete (born 1978), high jumper
• Bruce Fordyce (born 1955), ultra-marathon runner
• Jacques Freitag (born 1982), high jumper
• Llewellyn Herbert (born 1977), 400 m hurdles, Olympic bronze medallist
• Frantz Kruger (born 1975), discus thrower
• Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (1980–2014), middle-distance runner, Olympic silver medallist
• Carle Pace (1918–2008), marathon runner, 400 m and 800 m record holder, cyclist
• Oscar Pistorius (born 1986), disabled runner
• Philip Rabinowitz (1904–2008), sprinter
• Hezekiél Sepeng (born 1974), middle-distance runner, Olympic silver medallist
• Josia Thugwane (born 1971), marathon runner, Olympic gold medallist
• Louis Jacob van Zyl (born 1985), 400 m hurdles, Commonwealth Games gold medallist

Baseball

Gift Ngoepe

• David Lowery, pitcher (born 1942 in Johannesburg)
• Barry Armitage, pitcher (born 1979)
• Gavin Fingleson, second baseman (born 1979), silver medalist for Australia in 2004 Athens Olympics
• Gift Ngoepe, infielder (born 1990)

Basketball

Steve Nash

• Steve Nash, point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers (born 1974)
• Thabo Sefolosha, shooting guard for Chicago and Oklahoma City (born 1984)

Boxing

See also: South African boxers

Botha (right) vs. Parker, 2013

• Cassius Baloyi, featherweight boxer (born 1974)
• Mike Bernardo, boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial arts fighter (born 1969)
• Francois Botha, heavyweight boxer (born 1968)
• Vuyani Bungu, IBF Super Bantamweight Champion 1994–1999 (born 1967)
• Gerrie Coetzee, World Boxing Association heavyweight champion (born 1955)
• Pierre Coetzer, heavyweight boxer, (born 1961)
• Nick Durandt, boxing trainer and manager (1963–2017)
• Pierre Fourie, middle and light heavyweight boxer (1943–1980)
• Thomas Hamilton-Brown, 1936 Summer Olympics lightweight (1916–1981)
• Kallie Knoetze, heavyweight boxer (born 1953)
• Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, IBF Super Bantamweight Champion 1999–2001 (born 1971)
• Elijah 'Tap Tap' Makhatini, middleweight boxer (born 1942)
• Masibulele Makepula, professional boxer (born 1973)
• "Baby" Jakes Matlala, junior flyweight champion (born 1962–2013)
• Brian Mitchell, WBA Super Featherweight Champion 1986–1991, IBF Super Featherweight Champion 1991
• Welcome Ncita, IBF Super Bantamweight Champion 1990–1992 (born 1965)
• Corrie Sanders, heavyweight boxer (1966–2012)
• Mike Schutte, heavyweight boxer (1950–2008)
• Mzukisi Sikali, flyweight boxer (1971–2005)
• Dingaan Thobela, Super Middleweight (born 1966)

Canoeing

Shaun Rubenstein

See also: South African canoeists

• Bridgitte Hartley, 2012 Bronze Medal winner at the Olympics
• Graeme Pope-Ellis, 15 time Dusi canoe marathon winner
• Shaun Rubenstein (born 1983), canoer and World Marathon champion 2006

Cricket

See also: South African Test cricketers, South African ODI cricketers, South African Twenty20 International cricketers, South African women Test cricketers

Mark Boucher

Jean-Paul Duminy

• Shafiek Abrahams (born 1968), right-arm spin bowler
• Warwick Abrahim (born 1990), first-class, List A, and T20 cricketer
• Clifford Abrams (1935–2002), first-class cricketer
• Paul Adams (born 1977), left-arm spin bowler
• Adam Bacher (born 1973), right-handed batsman
• Ali Bacher (born 1942), right-handed batsman and administrator
• Edgar John Barlow (1940–2005), right-arm fast bowler and coach
• Derrin Bassage (born 1978), left-handed batsman
• Christian Begg (born 1986), left-handed batsman
• Nicky Boje (born 1973), all-rounder
• Tertius Bosch (1966–2000), right-arm fast bowler
• Johan Botha (born 1982), right-arm spin bowler
• Mark Boucher (born 1976), wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman
• Charles Brockway (1907–1985), slow left-arm orthodox bowler
• David Callaghan (born 1965), all-rounder
• Jimmy Cook (born 1953), right-handed batsman
• Hansie Cronje (1969–2002), Proteas captain, all-rounder
• Daryll Cullinan (born 1967), right-handed batsman
• Basil D'Oliveira (1931–2011), right-handed batsman
• Dominic Daniels (born 1992), right-handed batsman
• Alan Dawson (born 1969), right-arm fast medium bowler
• AB de Villiers (born 1984), Proteas captain, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman
• Faf du Plessis (born 1984), Proteas captain and right-handed batsman
• Fanie de Villiers (born 1964), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Matthew Dennington (born 1982), cricketer
• Boeta Dippenaar (born 1977), right-handed batsman
• Allan Donald (born 1966), right-arm fast bowler
• Jean-Paul Duminy (born 1984), left-handed batsman
• Luc Durandt (born 1989), right-arm medium bowler
• Zac Elkin (born 1991), wicketkeeper
• Clive Eksteen (born 1966), left-arm spin bowler
• Steve Elworthy (born 1965), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Dennis Gamsy (born 1940), Test wicket-keeper
• Herschelle Gibbs (born 1974), right-handed batsman
• Norman Gordon (1911–2014), fast bowler
• Tony Greig (1946–2012), right-handed batsman and commentator
• Francois Haasbroek (born 1987), right-handed batsman
• Andrew Hall (born 1975), all-rounder
• Nantie Hayward (born 1977), right-arm fast bowler
• Benjamin Hector (born 1979), right-handed batsman
• Claude Henderson (born 1972), left-arm spin bowler
• Omar Henry (born 1952), left-arm spin bowler
• Israel Hlengani (born 1988), left-handed batsman
• Andrew Hudson (born 1952), right-handed opening batsman
• Martin van Jaarsveld (born 1974), right-handed batsman
• Steven Jack (born 1970), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Jacques Kallis (born 1975), all-rounder
• Chad Keegan (born 1979), cricketer
• Justin Kemp (born 1977), all-rounder
• Jon Kent (born 1979), cricketer
• Gary Kirsten (born 1967), left-handed opening batsman
• Peter Kirsten (born 1955), right-handed batsman
• Lance Klusener (born 1971), all-rounder
• Garnett Kruger (born 1977), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Adrian Kuiper (born 1959), all-rounder
• Charl Langeveldt (born 1974), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Gerhardus Liebenberg (born 1972), right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper
• Allan Lamb (born 1954), right-hand batsman
• Craig Matthews (born 1965), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Neil McKenzie (born 1975), right-handed batsman
• Brian McMillan (born 1963), all-rounder
• Albie Morkel (born 1981), right-handed batsman
• Morné Morkel (born 1984), cricketer
• Brad Moses (born 1983), cricketer
• Victor Mpitsang (born 1980), right-arm fast medium bowler
• André Nel (born 1977), fast bowler
• Christo Niewoudt, cricketer
• Makhaya Ntini (born 1977), fast bowler
• Jonathan October (born 1974), right-arm medium bowler
• Justin Ontong (born 1980), right-arm spin bowler
• Hugh Page (born 1961), right arm fast bowler
• Robin Peterson (born 1979), left-arm spin bowler
• Kevin Pietersen (born 1980), right-handed batsman
• Graeme Pollock (born 1944), left-handed batsman
• Shaun Pollock (born 1973), Proteas captain, fast-medium bowler
• Nic Pothas (born 1973), right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper
• Ashwell Prince (born 1977), left-handed batsman
• Meyrick Pringle (born 1966), right-arm fast medium swing bowler
• Andrew Puttick (born 1980), cricketer
• Jonty Rhodes (born 1969), right-handed batsman
• Clive Rice (1949–2015), all-rounder
• Dave Richardson (born 1959), right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper
• Jacques Rudolph (born 1981), left-handed batsman
• Mark Rushmere (born 1965), right-handed batsman
• Brett Schultz (born 1970), left-arm fast bowler
• Lawrence Seeff (born 1959), batsmen
• Warren Shankland (born 1987), cricketer
• Graeme Smith (born 1981), Proteas captain, batsman
• Greg Smith (born 1971), cricketer
• Percy Sonn (1949–2007), sixth president of the International Cricket Council, first ICC president from Africa
• Errol Stewart (born 1969), right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper
• Dale Steyn (born 1983), right-arm fast bowler
• Rudi Steyn (born 1967), cricketer
• Pieter Strydom (born 1969), cricketer
• Fred Susskind (1891–1957), Test batsman
• Pat Symcox (born 1960), right-arm spin bowler
• Roger Telemachus (born 1973), right-arm fast medium bowler
• David Terbrugge (born 1977), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Leslie Wenzler (born 1962), first-class cricketer
• Kepler Wessels (born 1957), Proteas captain, left-handed batsman
• Henry Williams (born 1967), right-arm fast medium bowler
• Charl Willoughby (born 1974), cricketer
• James Wood (born 1985), wicket-keeper
• Mandy Yachad (born 1960), cricketer
• Monde Zondeki (born 1982), right-arm fast bowler

Cycling

Ryan Cox

• John-Lee Augustyn (born 1986)
• Ryan Cox (1979–2007)
• David George (born 1976)
• Robbie Hunter (born 1977)
• Daryl Impey (born 1984)
• Laurens Meintjes (1868–1941)
• Burry Stander (1987–2013)
• Carla Swart (1987–2011)

Golf

See also: South African golfers

Gary Player

• Ernie Els (born 1969)
• Retief Goosen (born 1969)
• Trevor Immelman (born 1979)
• Gary Player (born 1936)
• Rory Sabbatini (born 1976)
• Charl Schwartzel (born 1984)
• Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum (1930–1978)
• David Frost (born 1959)

Ice hockey

Olaf Kölzig

• Rudi Ball (1911–1975), German-South African Hall of Fame ice hockey player
• Olaf Kölzig, goaltender (born 1970)

Motorsports

See also: South African racecar drivers and Formula One drivers

Tyla Rattray

Jody Scheckter

• Greg Albertyn, World and American Motocross Champion
• Rory Byrne, racing car designer for Ferrari and others
• Dave Charlton, Formula One driver
• Giniel de Villiers, rally raid driver, 2009 Dakara Rally winner
• Jan Hettema, five times SA Rally Drivers Champion and Springbok cyclist
• Grant Langston, World and American Motocross Champion
• Gordon Murray, Grand Prix car designer (born 1946)
• Tyla Rattray, World Motocross Champion
• Ian Scheckter, Formula One driver (brother of Jody Scheckter)
• Jody Scheckter, 1979 Formula One world champion (born 1950)
• Tomas Scheckter, South Africa, Indy Racing League driver
• Wayne Taylor, sports car driver and team owner, 1994 IMSA GT champion
• Sarel van der Merwe, rally and racing driver, multiple SA Rally Drivers Champion.

Netball

Irene van Dyk

• Irene van Dyk, played for South Africa and New Zealand, most capped international player of all time (born 1972)
• Leana De Bruin, played for South Africa and New Zealand (born 1977)

Rugby

See also: South African rugby players

Bakkies Botha

François Steyn

• Louis Babrow, national team, centre (1915–2004)
• Bakkies Botha, Springbok, lock (born 1979)
• Naas Botha, Springbok, flyhalf and TV presenter (born 1958)
• Schalk Burger, Springbok, flank (born 1983)
• Jordan Chait, Tel Aviv Heat, fly-half (born 1997)
• Kitch Christie, Springbok coach (1940–1998)
• Danie Craven, Springbok, scrumhalf and administrator (1910–1994)
• Jean de Villiers, Springbok, centre and wing (born 1981)
• Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach (born 1957)
• Morne du Plessis, Springbok, eight man (born 1949)
• Frik du Preez, Springbok, lock/flank (born 1935)
• Os du Randt, Springbok, prop (born 1972)
• Okey Geffin, forward, national team (1921–2004)
• Danie Gerber, Springbok, centre (born 1958)
• Gerrie Germishuys, Springbok, wing (born 1949)
• Bryan Habana, Springbok, wing (born 1983)
• Wiehahn Herbst, Tel Aviv Heat, prop (born 1988)
• Siyamthanda Kolisi, Cell C Sharks, loose forward (born 1991)
• Butch James, Springbok, flyhalf (born 1979)
• Joe Kaminer, national team, centre (1934–2021)
• Sarah Levy (born 1995), South African-born American Olympic bronze medalist, rugby union and rugby sevens player; great-granddaughter of Louis Babrow
• Shawn Lipman, U.S. national team, flanker (born 1964)
• Victor Matfield, Springbok, lock (born 1977)
• Alan Menter, national team, flyhalf (born 1941)
• Percy Montgomery, Springbok, fullback (born 1974)
• Cecil Moss, national team, wing (1925–2017)
• Sydney Nomis, national team, wing/centre (1901–1962)
• Caylib Oosthuizen, Tel Aviv Heat, loosehead prop (born 1989)
• Bennie Osler, Springbok, fly-half (1901–1962)
• Francois Pienaar, Springbok, flank (born 1967)
• Jeremy Reingold, swimmer and rugby player
• Myer Rosenblum, South Africa national team, flanker (1907–2002)
• John Smit, Springbok, hooker (born 1978)
• Fred Smollan, national team, flanker (1908–1998)
• François Steyn, Springbok, flyhalf/fullback (born 1987)
• Joel Stransky, Springbok, flyhalf, kicked winning points in 1995 Rugby World Cup, played by Scott Eastwood in Invictus (born 1967)
• Gary Teichmann, Springbok, number 8 (born 1967)
• Jamba Ulengo, Tel Aviv Heat, winger (born 1990)
• Harry Vermaas, hooker (born 1984)
• Joost van der Westhuizen, Springbok, scrum-half (1971–2017)
• Jurie van Vuuren, Tel Aviv Heat, lock/flanker (born 1993)
• Jake White, Springbok coach (born 1963)
• Chester Williams, Springbok, wing (1970–2019)
• Morris Zimerman, wing (1911–1992)

Soccer

See also: South African soccer players

Quinton Fortune

Benni McCarthy

• Jonathan Armogam (born 1981), midfielder and striker
• Gary Bailey (born 1958), goalkeeper for England and Manchester United
• Marawaan Bantam (born 1977), midfielder
• Shaun Bartlett (born 1972), striker
• Arthur Bunch (1909–1973), inside right forward
• Rodney Bush (born 1955), defender
• Nelson "Teenage" Dladla (born 1954), midfielder
• Kagisho Dikgacoi (born 1984), midfielder for Fulham and Crystal Palace
• Cliff Durandt (1940–2002), winger
• Mark Fish (born 1974), defender for Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Jomo Cosmos
• Quinton Fortune (born 1977), midfielder and defender for Manchester United
• Bevan Fransch (born 1986), defender
• Dean Furman (born 1988), midfielder for Oldham Athletic
• Siboniso Gaxa (born 1984), defender for Lierse S.K.
• Gordon Gilbert (born 1982), central defender
• Ryan Hodgskin (born 1977), right back
• Junior Khanye (born 1985), winger
• Doctor Khumalo (born 1967), midfielder
• Cys Kurland (fl. 1947), player
• Bonginkosi Macala (born 1985), winger
• Collen Makgopela (born 1985), striker
• Lesley Manyathela (1981–2003), Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates striker
• Wayne Matle (born 1988), right-back
• Peter Matshitse (born 1971), defender
• Masonwabe Maseti (born 1987), midfielder
• Goodman Mazibuko (born 1975), midfielder
• Matome Mathiane (born 1988), Lamontville Golden Arrows captain, defender
• Benni McCarthy (born 1977), striker
• Jorry Merahe (born 1980), midfielder
• Senzo Meyiwa (1982–2014), Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain, goalkeeper
• Thandokuhle Mkhonza (born 1980), goalkeeper
• Aaron Mokoena (born 1980), defender, most capped player on the national team
• Tebogo Monyai (born 1979), defender
• Ditheko Mototo (born 1980), defender
• Sydney Nkalanga, footballer
• John Bheki Nkambule (born 1981), midfielder
• Siyabonga Nomvete (born 1977), striker
• Innocent Ntsume (born 1980), midfielder
• Steven Pienaar (born 1982), Everton F.C. midfielder
• Lucas Radebe (born 1969), Bafana Bafana captain, defender
• Siyabonga Sangweni (born 1981), South African football defender
• Itumeleng Sekwale (born 1983), footballer
• Clint Sipho Sephadi (born 1973), midfielder
• Ntokozo Sikhakhane (born 1983), midfielder
• Bamuza Sono (born 1980), midfielder
• Eric Bhamuza Sono (1937–1964), Orlando Pirates captain
• Jomo Sono (born 1955), midfielder and coach
• Jacob Tshisevhe (born 1969), defender

Surfing

Shaun Tomson

• Grant Baker, winner of the Mavericks Big Wave contest in California
• Chris Bertish, 2009 Mavericks Big Wave Surf winner
• Sean Holmes, 2000 Red Bull Big Wave Africa winner
• Martin Potter, 1989 world champ (born 1965)
• Jordy Smith, winner of the 2010 and 2011 ASP World Tour Billabong Pro
• Shaun Tomson, former world champ (born 1955)
• John Whitmore, father of South African surfing (1929–2001)

Swimming

See also: Olympic swimmers of South Africa and Category:Olympic swimmers for South Africa

Charlene Wittstock

• Chad le Clos, Olympic gold medallist (born 1992)
• Natalie du Toit, disabled swimmer (born 1984)
• Lyndon Ferns, Olympic gold medallist (born 1983)
• Penny Heyns, breaststroke, Olympic gold medallist (born 1974)
• Karen Muir, backstroke, youngest world record holder in any sport in 1965 at 12 years old (1952–2013)
• Ryk Neethling, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (born 1977)
• Sarah Poewe, Olympic bronze medallist (4x100 medley relay) (born 1983)
• Jeremy Reingold, swimmer and rugby player
• Roland Mark Schoeman, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (born 1980)
• Darian Townsend, Olympic gold medallist (born 1984)
• Charlene Wittstock, backstroke swimmer (born 1978)

Tennis

See also: South African tennis players

Ilana Kloss

• Neil Broad, seven ATP tour doubles titles and Olympic doubles silver medallist (born 1966)
• Amanda Coetzer, 1998 Family Circle Cup (born 1971)
• Kevin Curren, four Grand Slam doubles titles (born 1958)
• Cliff Drysdale, player and television commentator (born 1941)
• Esmé Emmanuel, tennis player (born 1947)
• Roger Federer, holds both Swiss and South African citizenship (born 1981)
• Wayne Ferreira, 1996 Canada Masters, 2000 Eurocard Open and Olympic doubles silver medallist (born 1971)
• Ian Froman, South African-born Israeli tennis player and patron
• Marlene Gerson (born 1940), player
• Bob Hewitt, men's doubles champion: Wimbledon, French and US Open; convicted rapist (born 1940)
• Ilana Kloss, won 1976 US Open Women's Doubles (w/Linky Boshoff), highest world doubles ranking # 1 (born 1956)
• Johan Kriek, 1981 and '82 Australian Open champion (born 1958)
• Julian Krinsky, American, former South African, tennis player
• Syd Levy, player; competed at Wimbledon, the French Championships, the U.S. Open, and Davis Cup, and won a silver medal at the Maccabiah Games (born 1922)
• Rod Mandelstam (born 1942), South African tennis player
• Frew McMillan (born 1942), men's doubles champion at Wimbledon, French and US Open
• Jack Saul, South African-Israeli tennis player
• David Schneider (born 1955), South African-Israeli tennis player
• Abe Segal (1930–2016), tennis player, competed in all four Grand Slams and in Davis Cup

Triathlon

• Conrad Stoltz (born 1973)
• Dan Hugo (born 1985)

Other sports

Shaun Rubenstein

• Gonda Betrix (born 1943), South Africa at the 1992 Summer Olympics in individual show jumping
• William Ronald Eland (1923-2003), weightlifter
• Dricus du Plessis (born 1994), professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion

See also

• Olympic gold medalists for South Africa
• Lists of sportspeople
• List of flag bearers for South Africa at the Olympics