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

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

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)
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

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

American football

Athletics

Baseball

Basketball

Boxing

Canoeing

Cricket

Cycling

Golf

Ice hockey

Motorsports

Netball

Rugby

Soccer

Surfing

Swimming

Tennis

Triathlon

Other sports

See also