A Year of Triumph
Year of triumph: South Africa’s sporting successes on global stage
Few countries punch above their weight in sport quite like South Africa. Despite its relatively small population, the country has built a formidable reputation for producing world-class athletes who thrive on the international stage.
The past year has been a particularly golden period, with South African teams and individuals making headlines across multiple disciplines. From rugby glory to record-breaking feats in athletics, South Africa has cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with.
The Springboks – A dynasty in the making
In a nail-biting final at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the Springboks secured their place in history. In a tournament filled with high-stakes drama, the Boks emerged as the masters of world rugby, lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a record-breaking fourth time – more than any other nation.
Their campaign, waged under the command of coach Rassie Erasumus, kept rugby fans around the world on the edge of their seats. The South Africans edged out hosts France in a hard-fought quarter-final (29-28) and survived a gut-wrenching semi-final against England (16-15). In the closely contested final, the South Africans held their nerve to defeat New Zealand 12-11 in a game for the ages.
The win not only reinforced the Springboks’ global dominance but also served as a unifying moment for a nation that so often turns to sport for collective pride.
The future is bright for South African rugby, as sports writer Luke Alfred says: ‘The game is changing. And it is changing quickly, as [coach] Rassie [Erasmus] begins his relentless quest to defend the World Cup crown in 2027. Organically, without hue and cry, Springboks are coming from all races and coming from everywhere… Rugby, once associated with Afrikanerdom and apartheid, has re-fashioned itself as the people’s game.’
Cricket – New spring for the Proteas
The Proteas Women’s team made history in 2024, outplaying Australia to reach their first-ever T20 World Cup final. Despite losing to New Zealand in the final, captain Laura Wolvaardt’s consistent brilliance with the bat and the emergence of fast bowler Shabnim Ismail as one of the game’s most potent threats underline the team’s growing stature.
A few months later, the men’s team went on an eight-match winning streak at the World Cup T20, making the finals for the first time. In a tense showdown, they fell just short against a determined Indian side, losing by XX runs. Nevertheless, the South Africans are optimistic that their performance at the World Cup, which blended experience with new talent, will benefit them in future international tournaments.
Football – Banyana Banyana leads the charge
South Africa continued its history-setting run when Banyana Banyana, its women’s football team, advanced beyond the group stage of the Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time. Their spirited performances against some of the world’s best teams earned them widespread praise and confirmed their place among the rising forces in women’s football.
Despite football being the nation’s favourite sport, its men’s team has largely fallen short of expectations. Bafana Bafana’s last appearance at a World Cup was in 2010, when South Africa hosted the tournament. However, this appears to be changing under new coach, Hugo Broos.
The team’s impressive run of results dates back to the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of 2024. Since losing to Nigeria in the semi-finals, Bafana Bafana has recorded an 18-game unbeaten streak, characterised by disciplined defending, swift counter-attacks and a cohesive team.
The South Africans have racked up 10 wins and seven draws during their unbeaten streak, which includes holding African powerhouses Egypt, Algeria and the Super Eagles to draws in the last year. Finally, Bafana Bafana look set to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
Olympic success
Team South Africa had a successful 2024 Paris Olympics, winning twice as many medals as they had at the previous games in Tokyo.
South Africa won a total of six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze – to place 44th in the medal standings. It won two gold and four bronze medals in the Paralympic Games, placing 43rd in the rankings.
● Swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker won a gold medal in the women's 100m breaststroke and a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke.
● Akani Simbine anchored the 4x100m men’s relay team, which won a silver medal. The men's 400m relay team set a new national record when they finished 5th.
● Jo-Ane van Dyk won a silver medal in the women's javelin throw.
● The men's rugby sevens team won a bronze medal and Alan Hatherly also won bronze in the men’s cross-country mountain bike event.
From rugby and cricket to smaller sports such as hockey and netball, South African athletes continue to excel, often against the odds. In doing so, they have provided moments of national pride and unity.
Other notable South African sports stars include:
● Dricus du Plessis: Mixed martial arts fighter Dricus ‘Stillknocks’ du Plessis became the first South African to claim the title of UFC Middleweight Champion when he fought Sean Strickland in January 2024. He has since twice defended the title successfully.
● Akani Simbine: Olympian and 100m sprinter, Simbine consistently performs at a high level in international competitions. He recently won his first individual global medal at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, winning bronze in the 60m race.
● Prudence Sekgodiso: The 23-year-old is a rising star in middle-distance running, with global ambitions. She won the women's 800m gold medal at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, setting a new South African indoor record and the fastest indoor time in the world so far in 2025.
● Brad Binder. The 29-year-old Grand Prix motorcycle racer from Pretoria is best known for winning the Moto3 title in 2016 – and for breaking the MotoGP speed record at the 2023 Italian GP, clocking a jaw-dropping 366.1km/h. He became the first, and so far, the only South African to win a MotoGP championship race when he crossed the finish line at the 2020 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix.
● Mustapha Cassiem was named player of the tournament at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup Croatia 2025, after leading South Africa to their first-ever World Cup medal, securing bronze in a historic campaign. He scored an incredible 17 goals, bringing his international tally to 118 goals in just 47 games.
Image Credit - https://sarugby.co.za
