# 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)
* 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