List of South African sportspeople

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

American football



 * 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)

Athletics



 * 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



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

Boxing



 * 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

 * 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




 * 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
 * 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



 * 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



 * 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



 * 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




 * 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, 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



 * 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)
 * 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





 * 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



 * 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



 * 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



 * 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

 * Gonda Betrix (born 1943), South Africa at the 1992 Summer Olympics in individual show jumping
 * William Ronald Eland (1923-2003), weightlifter