# List of South African military chiefs

This article lists the South African military chiefs. From 1958 until the first democratic general election in 1994, the present-day South African National Defence Force was known as the South African Defence Force. From 1912 to 1958, the South African military was known as the Union Defence Force.
In terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of South Africa, the military command of the Defence Force consists of the Chief of the Defence Force plus the Chiefs of the combat arms (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well as
* the Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Service;
* the Chief of Joint Operations of the Defence Force;
* the Chief of Defence Intelligence;
* the Chief of Human Resources; and
* the Chief of Logistics.

## Head of the Defence Force

The Defence Force consists of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998). The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the senior military commander and the chiefs of the four services, in addition to the chiefs of Joint Operations, Defence Intelligence, and Corporate Staff, report to him. As of June 2021 the Chief of the SANDF is General Rudzani Maphwanya SM, MMM.

### Chief of the UDF

The Union Defence Force (UDF) consisted initially of land forces. An aviation corps was formed in 1915 and replaced by the South African Air Force in 1920. A naval branch was added in 1922, and the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was incorporated into it in 1942.
In 1951, the defence forces were reorganised into three distinct combat services: the South African Army, the South African Air Force, and the South African Navy. The organisation was renamed "South African Defence Force" in 1958.
The UDF had no overall commander for the first nine and a half years. From January 1922, the Chief of the General Staff, previously responsible only for the Defence Headquarters staff, was the executive commander of the UDF. The title was changed to 'Commandant General UDF' in September 1956.
| No. | Chief of the UDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
| 1 | Brink, AndriesMajor General Andries Brink CBE, DTD, DSO (1877–1947) | 1 October 1922 | 1 May 1933 | 10 years, 212 days | South African Army | — |
| 2 | Ryneveld, PierreGeneral Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | 2 May 1933 | 1 May 1949 | 15 years, 364 days | South African Air Force | |
| 3 | Beyers, LeonardLieutenant General Leonard Beyers (1894–1959) | 2 May 1949 | 15 March 1950 | 317 days | South African Army | — |
| 4 | Toit, ChristiaanLieutenant General Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | 16 March 1950 | 22 September 1956 | 6 years, 190 days | South African Army | — |
| 5 | Klopper, HendrikGeneral Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | 23 September 1956 | 24 September 1958 | 2 years, 1 day | South African Army | — |
| 6 | Melville, StephenGeneral Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 25 September 1958 | 31 October 1958 | 36 days | South African Air Force | — |

### Chief of the SADF

The UDF was renamed 'South African Defence Force' in November 1958. The Commandant General's title was then changed to 'Commandant General SADF'. It was changed to 'Chief of the SADF' in July 1973, after Admiral Hugo Biermann assumed the post the year before. After South Africa's first democratic election, the South African Defence Force (SADF) became the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
| No. | Chief of the SADF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
| 1 | Melville, StephenGeneral Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 1 November 1958 | 31 December 1960 | 2 years, 60 days | South African Air Force | — |
| 2 | Grobbelaar, PieterGeneral Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | 1 January 1961 | 31 December 1965 | 4 years, 364 days | South African Army | — |
| 3 | Hiemstra, RudolphGeneral Rudolph Hiemstra SSA, SM (1912–2007) | 1 January 1966 | 31 March 1972 | 6 years, 90 days | South African Air Force | — |
| 4 | Biermann, HugoAdmiral Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | 1 April 1972 | 31 August 1976 | 4 years, 152 days | South African Navy | — |
| 5 | Malan, MagnusGeneral Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | 1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 35 days | South African Army | — |
| 6 | Viljoen, ConstandGeneral Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | 7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | South African Army | |
| 7 | Geldenhuys, JohannesGeneral Johannes Geldenhuys SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | 1 November 1985 | 31 October 1990 | 4 years, 364 days | South African Army | — |
| 8 | Liebenberg, AndreasGeneral Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | 1 November 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 2 years, 364 days | South African Army | — |
| 9 | Meiring, GeorgGeneral Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 1 November 1993 | 27 April 1994 | 177 days | South African Army | — |

### Chief of the SANDF

The SADF amalgamated with the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the homeland defence forces to form the South African National Defence Force in 1994. The SANDF was based on the existing SADF structure of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998).
| No. | Chief of the SANDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
| 1 | Meiring, GeorgGeneral Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 27 April 1994 | 31 May 1998 | 4 years, 34 days | South African Army | — |
| 2 | Nyanda, SiphiweGeneral Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950) | 1 June 1998 | 31 May 2005 | 6 years, 364 days | South African Army | — |
| 3 | Ngwenya, GodfreyGeneral Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | 1 June 2005 | 1 May 2011 | 5 years, 334 days | South African Army | — |
| 4 | Shoke, SollyGeneral Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | 2 May 2011 | 30 May 2021 | 10 years, 28 days | South African Army | |
| 5 | Maphwanya, RudzaniGeneral Rudzani Maphwanya SM, MMM (born 1960) | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 248 days | South African Army | |

### Timeline
## Chief of the Army

The Chief of the South African Army is the professional head of the Army. There was no separate army commander until 1948. The post was called 'Director-General of Land Forces' 1948–51 and 'Army Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Army' since 1966.
| No. | Chief of the Army | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
| 1 | du Toit, ChristianBrigadier Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | 10 November 1948 | 15 March 1950 | 1 year, 125 days | $^{:92}$ |
| 2 | Klopper, HendrikBrigadier Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | 16 March 1950 | 30 April 1953 | 3 years, 45 days | $^{:94}$ |
| 3 | Grobbelaar, PieterMajor General Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | 1 May 1953 | 24 September 1958 | 5 years, 146 days | $^{:93}$ |
| 4 | Bierman, NickMajor General Nick Bierman SSA, SM, CBE (1910–1977) | 25 September 1958 | 31 October 1959 | 1 year, 36 days | $^{:89}$ |
| 5 | Engelbrecht, SybrandMajor General Sybrand Engelbrecht SM (1913–1994) | 1 November 1959 | 3 March 1963 | 3 years, 122 days | $^{:92}$ |
| 6 | Jacobs, PetrusMajor General Petrus Jacobs SSA, SM (1910–1967) | 4 March 1963 | 31 December 1965 | 2 years, 302 days | $^{:93}$ |
| 7 | Fraser, CharlesLieutenant General Charles 'Pop' Fraser SSA, SM (1915–1994) | 1 January 1966 | 30 November 1967 | 1 year, 333 days | $^{:92}$ |
| 8 | Louw, WillemLieutenant General Willem Louw SSA, SM (1920–1980) | 1 December 1967 | 30 June 1973 | 5 years, 211 days | $^{:94}$ |
| 9 | Malan, MagnusLieutenant General Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | 1 July 1973 | 31 August 1976 | 3 years, 61 days | $^{:95}$ |
| 10 | Viljoen, ConstandLieutenant General Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | 1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 30 days | — |
| 11 | Geldenhuys, JohannesLieutenant General Johannes Geldenhuys SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | 7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | $^{:92}$ |
| 12 | Liebenberg, AndreasLieutenant General Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | 1 November 1985 | 28 February 1990 | 4 years, 119 days | — |
| 13 | Meiring, GeorgLieutenant General Georg Meiring SSA, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 1 March 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 3 years, 244 days | — |
| 14 | Pretorius, HattinghLieutenant General Hattingh Pretorius SD, SM, MMM (1942–2008) | 1 November 1993 | 31 December 1994 | 1 year, 60 days | — |
| 15 | Otto, ReginaldLieutenant General Reginald Otto SD & Bar, SM, MMM (1943–2022) | 1 January 1995 | 30 June 1998 | 3 years, 180 days | — |
| 16 | Ramano, GilbertLieutenant General Gilbert Ramano SSAS, SD, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1939) | 1 July 1998 | 31 May 2004 | 5 years, 335 days | — |
| 17 | Shoke, SollyLieutenant General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | 1 June 2004 | 1 May 2011 | 6 years, 334 days | — |
| 18 | Masondo, VusumuziLieutenant General Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | 1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | |
| 19 | Yam, LindileLieutenant General Lindile Yam (born 1960) | 1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | |
| 20 | Mokhose, ThabisoLieutenant General Thabiso Mokhosi (c. 1968–2019) | 1 November 2019 | 10 December 2019 † | 39 days | |
| 21 | Mbatha, LawrenceLieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha (born 1968) | 9 April 2020 | Incumbent | 4 years, 301 days | |
Lieutenant General Werndly van der Riet$^{:98}$ and Major General Mannetjies de Goede spent some time acting as Chief of the Army.

## Chief of the Air Force

The Chief of the South African Air Force is the professional head of the Air Force. The post was called 'Director of Air Services' 1920–33, 'Director of Air & Technical Services' 1937–39, 'Director-General of Air Services' 1939–41, 'Director-General of the Air Force' 1941–51, and 'Air Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Air Force' since 1966.
| No. | Chief of the Air Force | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
| 1 | van Ryneveld, PierreColonel Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | 1 February 1920 | 30 September 1937 | 17 years, 241 days | |
| 2 | Hoare, FrancisColonel Francis Hoare CB, CBE (1879–1959) | 1 October 1937 | 31 October 1937 | 30 days | — |
| 3 | Daniel, HectorLieutenant Colonel Hector Daniel CBE, MC, AFC (1898–1953) | 1 November 1937 | 12 September 1939 | 2 years, 41 days | — |
| 4 | Holthouse, JohnColonel John Holthouse OBE (1891–1964) | 13 September 1939 | 30 September 1940 | 1 year, 17 days | — |
| 5 | Venter, ChristoffelMajor General Christoffel Venter CB, DFC & bar (1892–1977) | 1 October 1940 | 16 October 1945 | 5 years, 15 days | — |
| 6 | Willmott, HaroldBrigadier Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | 17 October 1945 | 10 September 1946 | 328 days | — |
| 7 | Durrant, JimmyBrigadier James 'Jimmy' Durrant CB, DFC (1913–1990) | 1 October 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 272 days | — |
| (6) | Willmott, HaroldBrigadier Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | 1 July 1951 | 24 August 1954 | 3 years, 54 days | — |
| 8 | Melville, StephenBrigadier Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 25 August 1954 | 22 September 1956 | 2 years, 28 days | — |
| 9 | Viljoen, BarendMajor General Barend Viljoen SSA, OBE (1908–1995) | 23 September 1956 | 30 April 1965 | 8 years, 219 days | — |
| 10 | Martin, KalfieLieutenant General Henry 'Kalfie' Martin SM, CBE, DFC (1910–2000) | 1 May 1965 | 30 November 1967 | 2 years, 213 days | — |
| 11 | Verster, JacobusLieutenant General Jacobus Verster SSA, SM (1919–1981) | 1 December 1967 | 28 February 1975 | 7 years, 89 days | — |
| 12 | Rogers, BobLieutenant General Robert 'Bob' Rogers SSA, SM, MMM, DSO, DFC & bar (1921–2000) | 1 March 1975 | 30 November 1979 | 4 years, 274 days | — |
| 13 | Muller, MichalLieutenant General Michal Muller SSAS, SD (born 1930) | 1 December 1979 | 29 February 1984 | 4 years, 90 days | — |
| 14 | Earp, DenisLieutenant General Denis Earp SSA, SD, SM, SOE (1930–2019) | 1 March 1984 | 30 June 1988 | 4 years, 121 days | — |
| 15 | van Loggerenberg, JanLieutenant General Jan van Loggerenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1935–2022) | 1 July 1988 | 31 October 1991 | 3 years, 122 days | — |
| 16 | Kriel, JamesLieutenant General James Kriel SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (1942–2016) | 1 November 1991 | 30 April 1996 | 4 years, 181 days | — |
| 17 | Hechter, WillemLieutenant General Willem Hechter SSA, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | 1 May 1996 | 29 February 2000 | 3 years, 304 days | |
| 18 | Beukes, RoelfLieutenant General Roelf Beukes SD, SM, MMM | 1 March 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 364 days | — |
| 19 | Gagiano, CarloLieutenant General Carlo Gagiano SM, MMM (born 1951) | 1 March 2005 | 30 September 2012 | 7 years, 213 days | — |
| 20 | Msimang, FabianLieutenant General Fabian Msimang SM, MMM (born 1960) | 1 October 2012 | 30 September 2020 | 7 years, 365 days | |
| – | Buthelezi, MzayifaniLieutenant General Mzayifani Buthelezi (born 1965) Acting | 30 September 2020 | 1 June 2021 | 244 days | |
| 21 | Mbambo, WisemanLieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo (born 1966) | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 248 days | |

## Chief of the Navy

The Chief of the South African Navy is the professional head of the Navy. The post was called 'Officer Commanding South African Naval Service' 1922–32, 'Director, Seaward Defence Force' 1940–42, 'Director, South African Naval Forces' 1942–51, 'Naval & Marine Chief of Staff' 1951–55, and 'Naval Chief of Staff' 1955–66, and has been 'Chief of the Navy' since 1966.
| No. | Chief of the Navy | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
| 1 | Rankin, NormanCommander Norman Rankin | 1 April 1922 | 3 June 1928 | 6 years, 63 days | — |
| 2 | Fitzgerald, RobertCommander Robert F.U.P. Fitzgerald | 4 June 1928 | 4 November 1932 | 4 years, 153 days | — |
| Position of the Chief of the Navy did not exist from 1932 to 1939 |||||||
| 3 | Hallifax, GuyRear Admiral Guy Hallifax CMG (1884–1941) | 16 September 1939 | 28 March 1941 † | 1 year, 193 days | — |
| 4 | Dalgleish, JamesCommodore James Dalgleish CBE (1891–1964) | 28 March 1941 | 30 November 1946 | 5 years, 247 days | — |
| 5 | Dean, FrederickCommodore Frederick Dean OBE (1900–1983) | 1 December 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 211 days | — |
| 6 | de Waal, PieterBrigadier Pieter de Waal CB, CBE (1899–1977) | 1 July 1951 | 30 November 1952 | 1 year, 152 days | — |
| 7 | Biermann, HugoVice Admiral Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | 1 December 1952 | 31 March 1972 | 19 years, 121 days | — |
| 8 | Johnson, JamesVice Admiral James 'Flam' Johnson SSA, SM, DSC (1918–1990) | 1 April 1972 | 30 September 1977 | 5 years, 182 days | — |
| 9 | Walters, Johan CharlVice Admiral Johan Charl Walters SD, SM, MMM (1919–1993) | 1 October 1977 | 30 January 1980 | 2 years, 121 days | — |
| 10 | Edwards, Ronald A.Vice Admiral Ronald A. Edwards SSAS, SM, MMM (1923–2014) | 1 February 1980 | 30 September 1982 | 2 years, 241 days | — |
| 11 | Putter, AndriesVice Admiral Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | 1 October 1982 | 30 June 1985 | 2 years, 272 days | — |
| 12 | Syndercombe, GlenVice Admiral Glen Syndercombe SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1931–2005) | 1 July 1985 | 31 March 1989 | 3 years, 273 days | — |
| (11) | Putter, AndriesVice Admiral Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | 1 April 1989 | 30 June 1990 | 1 year, 90 days | — |
| 13 | Woodburne, LambertVice Admiral Lambert J 'Woody' Woodburne DVR, SD, SM (1939–2013) | 1 July 1990 | 31 August 1992 | 2 years, 61 days | — |
| 14 | Simpson-Anderson, RobertVice Admiral Robert Simpson-Anderson SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | 1 September 1992 | 31 October 2000 | 8 years, 60 days | — |
| 15 | Retief, JohanVice Admiral Johan Retief SD & Bar, PG, SM, MMM (born 1946) | 1 November 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 119 days | — |
| 16 | Mudimu, Refiloe JohannesVice Admiral Refiloe Johannes Mudimu CLS, DMG, SM, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1954) | 1 March 2005 | 31 March 2014 | 9 years, 30 days | |
| 17 | Hlongwane, SamuelVice Admiral Samuel Hlongwane MMS, MMB (born 1962) | 1 April 2014 | 30 June 2022 | 8 years, 90 days | |
| 18 | Lobese, MondeVice Admiral Monde Lobese MMS, MMB | 1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 2 years, 95 days | |

## Surgeon General

The Surgeon General is the Chief of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), which was known as the South African Medical Service (SAMS) before 1994.
| No. | Surgeon General | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
| South African Medical Service |||||||
| 1 | Raymond, EugeneMajor General Eugene Raymond SSA, SM (born 1923) | 1 February 1960 | 31 March 1969 | 9 years, 58 days | — |
| 2 | Cockcroft, ColinLieutenant General Colin Cockcroft SSA, SM, SSA, SD, SM, MMM (1917–1987) | 1 April 1969 | 31 October 1977 | 8 years, 213 days | — |
| 3 | Nieuwoudt, NicolaasLieutenant General Nicolaas Nieuwoudt SSA, SD, SM (1929–1989) | 1 November 1977 | 29 February 1988 | 10 years, 120 days | — |
| 4 | Knobel, DanielLieutenant General Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | 1 March 1988 | 27 April 1994 | 6 years, 57 days | — |
| South African Military Health Service |||||||
| 1 | Knobel, DanielLieutenant General Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | 27 April 1994 | 30 November 1997 | 3 years, 217 days | — |
| 2 | Masuku, DavidsonLieutenant General Davidson Masuku SSAS, MMM, KStJ (1940–2000) | 1 December 1997 | 30 September 2000 | 2 years, 334 days | |
| 3 | Rensburg, Jurinus JanseLieutenant General Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | 1 October 2000 | 31 July 2005 | 4 years, 303 days | — |
| 4 | Ramlakan, VejaynandLieutenant General Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (1957–2020) | 1 August 2005 | 31 March 2013 | 7 years, 242 days | — |
| 5 | Sedibe, AubreyLieutenant General Aubrey Sedibe DMG, MMS, MMB, OStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (born 1957) | 1 April 2013 | 31 October 2019 | 6 years, 213 days | — |
| 6 | Dabula, ZolaLieutenant General Zola Dabula (born 1956) | 1 November 2019 | 31 October 2021 | 1 year, 364 days | |
| 7 | Maphaha, NtshavheniLieutenant General Ntshavheni Maphaha (born 1966) | 1 November 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 95 days | |

## Chief of Joint Operations

| No. | Chief of Joint Operations | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
| 1 | Ferreira, DeonLieutenant General Deon Ferreira PVD, SD, SM, MMM (1946–2002) | 1 August 1997 | 31 December 2000 | 3 years, 152 days | South African Army | — |
| 2 | Ngwenya, GodfreyLieutenant General Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | 1 January 2001 | 31 May 2005 | 4 years, 150 days | South African Army | — |
| 3 | Binda, SiphoLieutenant General Sipho Binda MMS (1952–2006) | 1 June 2005 | 10 November 2006 † | 1 year, 162 days | South African Army | |
| 4 | Matanzima, ThembaLieutenant General Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | 1 September 2007 | 30 September 2011 | 4 years, 29 days | South African Army | — |
| 5 | Mgwebi, DerrickLieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi (born 1956) | 1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | South African Army | |
| 6 | Mdutyana, DumaLieutenant General Duma Mdutyana MMB (1960–2016) | 1 February 2016 | 6 July 2016 † | 156 days | South African Army | |
| 7 | Hlatswayo, BarneyLieutenant General Barney Hlatswayo (born 1958) | 1 January 2017 | 31 October 2019 | 2 years, 303 days | South African Army | — |
| 8 | Maphwanya, RudzaniLieutenant General Rudzani Maphwanya (born 1960) | 1 November 2019 | 30 May 2021 | 1 year, 210 days | South African Army | |
| 9 | Sangweni, SiphiweLieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 248 days | South African Army | |

## Chief of Corporate Staff

The Chief of Corporate Staff is responsible for the provision of all staff services for the SANDF.
| No. | Chief of Corporate Staff | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
| 1 | Trainor, MartynVice Admiral Martyn Trainor SD, SM, MMM (born 1944) | 1 October 2000 | 31 January 2004 | 3 years, 122 days | South African Navy | — |
| 2 | Matanzima, ThembaLieutenant General Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | 1 February 2004 | 31 July 2005 | 1 year, 180 days | South African Army | — |
| 3 | Rensburg, Jurinus JanseLieutenant General Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | 1 August 2005 | 30 April 2010 | 4 years, 272 days | South African Military Health Service | — |
| — | Dlulane, LouisMajor General Louis Dlulane (born 1952) Acting | 1 May 2010 | 30 March 2013 | 2 years, 333 days | South African Army | |
| 4 | Ramlakan, VejaynandLieutenant General Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (born 1957) | 1 April 2013 | 31 May 2015 | 2 years, 60 days | South African Military Health Service | |
| 5 | Masondo, VusumuziLieutenant General Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | 1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | South African Army | |
| 6 | Yam, LindiweLieutenant General Lindile Yam (born 1960) | 1 November 2019 | 31 October 2022 | 2 years, 364 days | South African Army | |
| 7 | Ramantswana, MichaelLieutenant General Michael Ramantswana | 1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 2 years, 95 days | South African Army | |

## Sgts Major

Sergeants Major of the Defence Force :
| From | Union Defence Force (UDF) (prior to 1957) | To |
| 1947 | WO1 James Samuel Hulme | 1950 |
| 1950 | WO1 David Goldblatt | 1953 |
| 1953 | WO1 John Pelham Mundy | 1956 |
| 1956 | WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown | 1957 |
| From | SADF (prior to 1994) | To |
| 1961 | WO1 J. A. van der Merwe | 1964 |
| 1964 | WO1 F. P. Marais | 1966 |
| 1966 | WO1 W. J. van Rensburg | 1969 |
| 1969 | WO1 W. R. Myburgh | 1972 |
| 1972 | WO1 J. C. Smit | 1976 |
| 1976 | WO1 J. A. Schoeman | 1980 |
| 1980 | WO1 J. J. Grobbelaar | 1983 |
| 1983 | WO1 C. J. Badenhorst | 1987 |
| 1987 | WO1 P. J. van der Merwe | 1990 |
| 1990 | WO1 W. E. W. Fourie | 1991 |
| 1991 | WO1 G. Moorcroft | 1993 |
| 1993 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1994 |
| From | SANDF (post 1994) | To |
| 1994 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1998 |
| 1998 | WO1 J. J. van Zyl | 2003 |
| 2003 | WO1 L. J. Green | 2006 |
| 2006 | WO1 M. J. Nortjé | 2009 |
| 2009 | WO1 P. J. Appelgryn | 2010 |
| 2010 | WO1 D. E. Motau | 2013 |
| 2013 | WO1 P. R. Masondo | 2015 |
| 2015 | A. G. Mashaba | 2018 |
| 2018 | WO1 L. M. Masemola | 2021 |
| 2021 | WO1 N. Maphaha | 4 February 2025 |