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)
• 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