Most Famous South African Athletes

50 South African Athletes in view out of 256

Sports 256
South Africa 631
Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius South African Athletic Born 1986
#3,090
Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya South African Runner Born 1991
#13,539
Francois Pienaar
Francois Pienaar South African Player Born 1967
#26,607
Jody Scheckter
Jody Scheckter South African Driver Born 1950
#41,054
Victor Matfield
Victor Matfield South African Player Born 1977
#50,616
Tokelo Rantie
Tokelo Rantie South African Football Born 1990
#51,856
Louis Oosthuizen
Louis Oosthuizen South African Golf Born 1982
#52,039
Kagisho Dikgacoi
Kagisho Dikgacoi South African Football Born 1984
#54,695
TG
Tony Greig South African Cricket 1946 – 2012
#55,350
Percy Montgomery
Percy Montgomery South African Player Born 1974
#55,868
May Mahlangu
May Mahlangu South African Football Born 1989
#60,152
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi South African Runner 1980 – 2014
#70,497
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Kamohelo Mokotjo South African Football Born 1991
#70,640
KM
Katlego Mphela South African Football Born 1984
#71,136
Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis South African Cricket Born 1975
#74,011
Cliff Drysdale
Cliff Drysdale South African Player Born 1941
#74,177
Os du Randt
Os du Randt South African Player Born 1972
#74,925
Lars Veldwijk
Lars Veldwijk South African Football Born 1991
#78,511
AS
Akani Simbine South African Athletic Born 1993
#79,848
Danie Craven
Danie Craven South African Player 1910 – 1993
#87,442
HV
Hans Vonk (footballer) South African Football Born 1970
#91,307
Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs South African Player Born 1974
#94,596
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg South African Sport Born 1989
#98,095
Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn South African Cricket Born 1983
#105,130
François Steyn
François Steyn South African Player Born 1987
#106,442
Amanda Coetzer
Amanda Coetzer South African Player Born 1971
#107,022
ZK
Zane Kirchner South African Player Born 1984
#110,814
Ken McArthur
Ken McArthur South African Runner 1881 – 1960
#114,421
Bakkies Botha
Bakkies Botha South African Player Born 1979
#116,935
Bismarck du Plessis
Bismarck du Plessis South African Player Born 1984
#117,641
JK
Johan Kriek South African Player Born 1958
#117,730
Raven Klaasen
Raven Klaasen South African Player Born 1982
#120,372
SS
Siyabonga Sangweni South African Football Born 1981
#123,006
DN
David Nyathi South African Football Born 1969
#123,367
AJ
Andile Jali South African Football Born 1990
#128,139
Chanelle Scheepers
Chanelle Scheepers South African Player Born 1984
#129,383
TM
Thabo Matlaba South African Football Born 1987
#129,582
Nick Mallett
Nick Mallett South African Player Born 1956
#130,604
SM
Surprise Moriri South African Football Born 1980
#132,076
OM
Oupa Manyisa South African Football Born 1988
#137,836
ES
Eudy Simelane South African Football 1977 – 2008
#137,904
Brian Baloyi
Brian Baloyi South African Football Born 1974
#146,162
Brad Binder
Brad Binder South African Racer Born 1995
#147,145
Naas Botha
Naas Botha South African Player Born 1958
#151,158
Bongani Zungu
Bongani Zungu South African Football Born 1992
#152,263
Jaque Fourie
Jaque Fourie South African Player Born 1983
#153,800
JT
Josia Thugwane South African Runner Born 1971
#155,007
JF
Jacques Freitag South African Athletic Born 1982
#157,699
JP Pietersen
JP Pietersen South African Player Born 1986
#160,737
MM
Mandla Masango South African Football Born 1989
#161,574

By the numbers

Inside South Africa Athletes

256 notable people in this slice of the dataset.

Through the Decades

One face per decade — the most globally famous south africa athletes born in each.

Notable Births by Decade

Notable births among South Africa Athletes peaked in the 1980s with 85 people.

What South Africa Athletes Are Known For

Click any row to drill into that filter.

Player are South Africa Athletes's biggest group — 36% of all notables (93).

South Africa Athletes over-index on player — 39.0× the global rate.

  1. Player93
  2. Football70
  3. Cricket40
  4. Athletic10
  5. Boxer10
  6. Runner7
  7. Sport6
  8. Golf4
  1. Player9339.0×
  2. Cricket4019.1×
  3. Runner710.3×
  4. Boxer109.9×
  5. Athletic104.1×
  6. Football703.0×

City Hot Spots

Cities that over-produce South Africa Athletes compared to the world average — multiplier shows how much more.