Weet hulle wat ons weet? Top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen

We’re naming our top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen and we hope you’ll share your thoughts and disagreements in the comments section below. Since the lifting of the sports boycott in the early ‘90s, a handful of South African sportsmen have climbed to the pinnacle of their specific discipline. These top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen have not only collected medals and trophies but have shaped the nation and inspired generations to come …

1. Siya Kolisi – Rugby

When Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019, becoming the first Black captain to lead South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory, it transcended sport. His leadership was cemented when he repeated the feat yet again in 2023. However, beyond his trophy cabinet, Kolisi’s remarkable journey from the townships to global rugby icon unequivocally secures him a spot on the list of top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen.

2. Wayde van Niekerk – Athletics

Van Niekerk’s 43.03 seconds in the 400m final at the 2016 Rio Olympics didn’t just win him gold—it shattered Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old world record from the outside lane. This achievement alone secures his place in the list of top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen. But add his 2015 and 2017 World Championship titles and his versatility across sprint distances and you have the most gifted all-around sprinter South Africa has ever produced.

3. Ernie Els – Golf

A list of top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen cannot be without the ‘Big Easy.’ The golfing great earned his nickname through his effortless swing. However, his achievements didn’t come without relentless dedication to his craft. Els claimed four major championships: 1994, 1997 US Opens, and 2002, 2012 Open Championships. Not to mention 71 professional wins worldwide. Els’s International Golf Foundation has also transformed accessibility to the sport in South Africa.

Radebe stands as South Africa’s greatest post-apartheid footballer. Captaining both Leeds United and Bafana Bafana, the ‘Chief’ embodied leadership and defensive excellence during the nation’s return to international competition. The highlight of sixteen years in professional football was South Africa’s win of 1996 African Cup of Nations. Nelson Mandela even praised Radebe by saying, ‘This is my hero.’ A comment that cemented Radebe’s legacy as both a sporting icon and symbol of the New South Africa.

5. AB de Villiers – Cricket

Few cricketers have redefined batting like de Villiers and this easily assures him entry into the top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen list. His 360-degree shot-making earned him the moniker ‘Mr. 360’ well before the IPL made it famous. His statistical achievements are staggering, too: Fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), fastest ODI century (31 balls), and fastest ODI 150 (64 balls). Beyond these explosive feats, his test average of 50.66, combined with his technical proficiency and innovative brilliance, revolutioned South African batting.

6. Jordy Smith – Surfing

From Durban’s beaches to the elite World Surf League, Smith is unquestionably South Africa’s greatest-ever male surfer. With multiple WSL Championship Tour victories, his last coming just this weekend in El Salvador, Smith’s powerful style and aerial innovation have influenced surfing globally. Likewise, Smith’s sustained 18-year presence in surfing’s elite represents longevity matched only by the all-time great Kelly Slater.

7. Bryan Habana – Rugby

Habana’s 67 international tries and crucial role in South Africa’s 2007 World Cup triumph secures his status amongst top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen. His explosive pace – famously racing a cheetah for charity – made him rugby’s most feared finisher for a decade. Moreover, Habana’s positioning, unrivalled work rate and anticipation saw him snaffle tens of unlikely intercept tries. In the 2007 World Cup his eight tries equaled Jonah Lomu’s record.

8. Jacques Kallis – Cricket

Arguably cricket’s greatest all-rounder, Kallis amassed 13 289 Test runs (the fourth highest of all-time), took 292 wickets and held 200 catches. His batting was founded on a classical technique, while his medium-fast bowling added sting to South Africa’s pace attack. Throughout a 166-test-match career, his batting average exceeded 55. And his physical longevity made him the most complete cricketer of his generation.

9. Cheslin Kolbe – Rugby

Standing at just 5 foot 7, the great Cheslin Kolbe defies rugby’s traditional preference for size. With breathtaking skill, speed and courage, his elusive running and devastating sidestep make him one of the rugby’s most electrifying attackers. His defensive commitment, despite an obvious size disadvantage, demonstrates his remarkable bravery. Winning both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, Top 14 titles with Toulouse, and European Champions Cup glory, Kolbe proves that exceptional talent can come in any shape at rugby’s highest level.

10. Chad le Clos – Swimming

Le Clos’s defeat of Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics remains South Africa’s greatest Olympic moment. His four Olympic medals (one gold, three silver) and 18 Commonwealth Games medals (seven gold) demonstrate remarkable consistency, too. Le Clos specialised in butterfly and freestyle but showed versatility across multiple events. His determination and tactical awareness complemented his natural swimming talent and assures him safe passage into the list of top 10 post-apartheid SA sportsmen.

DID WE LEAVE ANY SOUTH AFRICAN GREATS OUT?

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