South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics

South Africa competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The team included 136 athletes, as of 10 July 2008. South Africa had its worst medals performance at an Olympics since 1994 (winter games), and tied its performance in the 1936 Games.

Archery
South Africa sent archers to the Olympics for the fifth time, seeking the nation's first Olympic medal in the sport. Calvin Hartley earned the country its only qualifying spot, in the men's competition, by placing first in the 2008 African championship.

Athletics

 * Key
 * Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
 * Q = Qualified for the next round
 * q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
 * NR = National record
 * N/A = Round not applicable for the event
 * Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round


 * Men
 * Track & road events


 * Field events


 * Women
 * Track & road events


 * Field events

Boxing
South Africa qualified one boxer for the Olympic boxing tournament. Jackson Chauke earned a spot in the flyweight competition at the second African continental qualifying tournament.

Sprint

 * Men

Qualification Legend: QS = Qualify to semi-final; QF = Qualify directly to final
 * Women

Diving

 * Women

Fencing

 * Men


 * Women

Men's tournament

 * Team roster


 * Group play


 * Classification match for 11th/12th place

Women's tournament

 * Team roster


 * Group play


 * Classification match for 11th/12th place

Rowing

 * Men

Qualification Legend: FA=Final A (medal); FB=Final B (non-medal); FC=Final C (non-medal); FD=Final D (non-medal); FE=Final E (non-medal); FF=Final F (non-medal); SA/B=Semifinals A/B; SC/D=Semifinals C/D; SE/F=Semifinals E/F; QF=Quarterfinals; R=Repechage
 * Women

Sailing
M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race; CAN = Race cancelled
 * Women

M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – advanced into the medal race; CAN = Final Race cancelled
 * Men

Shooting

 * Women

Swimming

 * Men

Natalie du Toit, five time gold medallist at the Athens Paralympics in 2004, has qualified to compete, becoming the first amputee ever to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 10 kilometre open water race. She finished in 16th place.
 * Women

Wrestling
Key:
 * VT - Victory by Fall.
 * PP - Decision by Points - the loser with technical points.
 * PO - Decision by Points - the loser without technical points.


 * Men's freestyle