Mandela famously once said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
Sport has played a significant role in South African culture and history, with many of our athletes and teams standing proudly on various global podiums. We celebrate these some of these legends not only for being winners, but also as advocates for gender rights, equal opportunity, and symbols of unity.
SOCCER
Lucas Radebe
Lucas started his career with the Kaizer Chiefs as a goalkeeper in 1989 before switching to central midfielder and later to central defending. In 1994, he moved to the UK to play for Leeds United, where he was made captain in 1998. He also played for – and captained – South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana.
As captain, Lucas led Leeds United through one of its most successful periods in recent history. Under his 11-year leadership, Leeds reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2000–01 season. Because he turned down offers from top clubs Manchester United, AC Milan, and Roma, choosing to stay loyal to Leeds, fans have tattooed his name and likeness to show their reverence. Leeds United also honoured Lucas by naming a suite at Elland Road after him — the Radebe Suite.
“One of the things that has been consistent throughout my career is discipline,” said the 56-year-old, during an interview with a local radio station. He also played for Bafana Bafana, when they won the 1996 African Cup of Nations, and was captain for the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. After retiring in 2005, Lucas was instrumental in the bid for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup. @lucasradebe
RUGBY
Rassie Erasmus
The Springboks are on top of the Rugby world right now and that’s largely due to the leadership of legendary coach Johan “Rassie’” Erasmus. He is arguably the greatest rugby coach of all time, a game-changer with a knack for bending rugby laws to his advantage. He says, “I did it because I could do something to give people an equal chance. Wouldn’t South Africa be a better place if everyone was given an equal chance?”
The outspoken former rugby player from the Eastern Cape was voted 2019’s World Rugby Coach of the Year and was recently bestowed with an honorary doctorate by the North-West University (NWU) for his exceptional management of the Springboks team and its transformation and inclusivity in revitalising rugby. Rassie is credited as being the reason the Boks are four-time Rugby World Cup champions. @rassie7908
SWIMMING
Natalie du Toit
Natalie may have despised swimming as a little girl, but the sport has made her a barrier-breaking icon. The 13-time Paralympic gold medallist and the first amputee to compete in the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, Natalie has received numerous awards and honours, including the prestigious Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, Order of Ikhamanga in gold, and is a Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire.
“You pick yourself every day,” she says, “You choose to be positive and carry on and do the things that you would like to achieve.” In the 2002 Commonwealth Games, she made history by being the first athlete with a disability to qualify for the 800m able-bodied freestyle final and was presented with the first David Dixon Award for Outstanding Athlete of the Games. @natsdutoit
GOLF
Dylan Naidoo
More than six decades after Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum defied racial discrimination by winning the Natal Open in both 1963 and 1965, Dylan has redeemed Sewsunker’s dignity by becoming the first Indian player to win the prestigious Investec South African Open title earlier this year, hosted at the same venue where his icon was prejudiced for his skin colour.
Due to the apartheid regime, Papwa’s trophy presentation took place outside the Durban Country Club in the rain. “For what this means, in terms of Papwa Sewgolum and him having won the Natal Open here, it’s incredible. I feel like he was with me here today,” said Dylan.
The 27-year-old’s victory evokes memories of Sewgolum’s legacy and his fight against injustice through a sport that he loved. Dylan has since jumped 220 places in the official world golf rankings, becoming the 19th South African to win the prestigious national Open. @dylannaidoo98
POLO
Nachi du Plessis
There are about 38 polo clubs in South Africa and an estimated 450 polo players. Ignatius ‘Nachi’ du Plessis is the only South African to have won all three of the world’s most celebrated polo tournaments held in Argentina, including the prestigious Argentine Open.
Nachi has a handicap rating of nine goals – 10 is the maximum, and there are fewer than a dozen 10-goalers in the world. His constant high level of performance makes him stand out against his competitors. “We have managed to fulfil a dream not just because we won but the way we’ve been together for the last three months,” said Nachi after winning the British Open with his team La Natividad in 2019. @nachidu
CRICKET
Hashim Amla
“When I was on the field, I would go over and give my opinion and how I feel or view the game,” Hashim told South African journalist Niren Tolsi in his book Writing Around The Wicket. Former international cricketer, Hashim, 42, is one of the greatest batsmen the game has seen, and the greatest opening batsmen of all time to have played for South Africa. He captained the Proteas in Tests and One Day Internationals (ODI) and holds the record for being the fastest ever to score 3 000, 4 000, and 7 000 ODI runs.
He is the first – and only – South African batsman to score a triple-century in Test matches. In 2019, Hashim retired from International cricket and works as a batting consultant, mentor, and coach for local and international cricket teams. @hashamla
TENNIS
Kgothatso Montjane
Raised in Seshego, Polokwane, tennis player Kgothatso ‘KG’ Monjane emerged from a township with no resources to become a Wimbledon champion after winning the wheelchair women’s doubles last year.
Born with a congenital deformity that affected both her hands and legs, she had a leg amputated when she was 12, but her disability did not shatter her dreams. “I really believe that what I’m doing will inspire and give hope, mostly to those coming from disadvantaged areas.”
She’s been honoured multiple times as South Africa’s Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability and received the Gauteng Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023. Kgothatso is in the top 10 International Tennis Federation (ITF), holds 29 singles titles, and has won the Swiss Open and Belgian Open tournaments. @kgmontjane1
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Dricus du Plessis
31-year-old Dricus, also known by his initial DDP or “Stillknocks”, has been called the Drunken Master for his unique fighting style. The UFC Middleweight Champion made his UFC debut in October 2020, securing a first-round knockout against Markus Perez.
In January 2024, he won the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297. He successfully defended his title in a rematch against Strickland at UFC 312 in February 2025. Dricus is known for his resilience and grit; he trains hard, stays in shape, and eats clean year-round. About winning, he says, “The belt was a massive step in the right direction of my ultimate goal. There is a very, very long way to go for me, being satisfied with what I have done in my career”. @dricusduplessis
ATHLETICS
Caster Semenya
In 2019, Time magazine named Mokgadi Caster Semenya one of the 100 Most Influential People. The 34-year-old middle distance runner is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time World Champion in the 800 metres.
Inspired by Mozambican runner Maria Muthola’s performances and charisma, Caster switched from wanting to be a professional football player to a runner. “I have equalled her (Muthola) three-times world champion, but then I made it better in the Olympics,” she said during a television interview. Caster won gold medals in the 800 meters at both the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2019, she was barred from competing by the IAAF (World Athletics) when she refused to undergo treatment to suppress high testosterone levels. In her memoir The Race To Be Myself, Caster writes in detail about her experience being forced to do sex testing. She is now retired and coaches young athletes under Masai Athletics Club that she co-founded with her partner Violet Semenya. @castersemenya800m
SAILING
Kirsten Neuschäfer
After 234 days sailing alone on the boat around the world with no GPS assistance, autopilot, or cellphones – relying solely on manual navigation – Kirsten made history by becoming the first woman to win the most gruelling 2022 Golden Globe Race since its inception in 1968.
“That is the moment that I will never forget. I have done what I needed to do and that was really amazing,” said the 42-year-old.
During the race in 2023, Kirsten’s compassion and spirit of ubuntu were put to the test when she had to make a detour to rescue a fellow entrant after his boat sank, spending over 24 hours adrift in the southern Indian Ocean. Nonetheless, she did a good deed and managed to still secure her victory a day ahead of her competitors. @kirstenggr
