South Africa’s sporting excellence took centre stage at Sun City on Sunday night as athletes, teams, coaches, administrators and fficials were honoured at the 19th South African Sport Awards, held at the Sun City Superbowl on 23 August 2026 under the theme “Crowned in Greatness”, the prestigious ceremony celebrated achievements from the 2025 sporting season and recognised the people who continue to contribute to the growth of sport across the country.
The biggest honour of the evening went to sprint star Akani Simbine, who was crowned Sport Star of the Year, beating Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma and Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx.Simbine’s recognition came after another impressive season on the international athletics circuit. During the 2025 season, which formed the basis for the awards, he won bronze in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, helped South Africa claim gold in the 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Relays, reached the World Championships 100m final and won three 100m races in the Diamond League.
The top award also came with a R500,000 cash prize, making Simbine the biggest individual winner of the night.Cricket’s historic year rewarded. The Proteas were among the biggest winners of the evening, with the men’s Test team named Sport Team of the Year and Cricket South Africa taking the National Federation of the Year award.The team’s recognition followed its historic ICC World Test Championship triumph in 2025, when South Africa defeated Australia at Lord’s to claim the country’s first World Test Championship title.
The achievement ended years of near misses and represented one of the most significant moments in South African cricket.Proteas captain Temba Bavuma was also among the recipients of a Minister’s Excellence Award, alongside Mustapha Cassiem, Mzwandile Stick, Adriaan Wildschutt, Tasneem Solomons and Rayno Nel.Pieter Coetzé and Prudence Sekgodiso take individual honours. Swimming sensation Pieter Coetzé was named Sportsman of the Year, beating golfer Christiaan Maas and boxer Kevin Lerena for the award.In the women’s category, athletics star Prudence Sekgodiso was crowned Sportswoman of the Year, adding another major accolade to an already impressive career.Sekgodiso’s award followed a breakthrough campaign that included winning South Africa’s first women’s indoor 800m gold medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
The awards also placed a strong spotlight on South Africa’s emerging sporting talent.Teenage sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza was named Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year, while the South African Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team won Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year.Walaza’s recognition highlights the growing pipeline of young South African athletes making their mark on the international stage and reinforces the importance of investing in youth sport.Athletics coach Thabo Matebedi was named Coach of the Year, while tennis administrator Anthony Moruthane received the Sport Administrator of the Year award.
Simone Kruger won Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, while Puseletso Michael Mabote was named Sportsman of the Year with a Disability for his achievements in para-athletics.At grassroots level, Nqobile Kunene was recognised as Sport Volunteer of the Year for her work in rural horse racing, while the Khokho Association South Africa won Recreation Body of the Year.Kunene’s recognition was particularly significant for highlighting the role volunteers play in creating opportunities for young people, including girls in rural communities.
The awards extended beyond athletes and teams to recognise officials and the media who help build and document South African sport.Rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron was named Technical Official of the Year, while Skhu Nkomphela won Sport Visual Journalist of the Year and Rachel Makhura was named Sports Media Journalist of the Year.
The evening also honoured three highly respected figures with the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award — Siya Vabaza-Booi, Selwyn Nathan and veteran photographer Veli Nhlapo.Nhlapo, who retired from Sowetan in July after more than four decades behind the camera, received R100,000 with the lifetime recognition. His career included documenting athletes across numerous sporting codes and following the development of young talent from rural areas and townships.The prestigious Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket was awarded to William “Willie” Mtolo, Nelson “Teenage” Dladla, Prof Mlungisi “Professor” Ngubane and Patson “Kamuzu” Banda.
Beyond the trophies and red-carpet glamour, the 19th South African Sport Awards offered a broader reflection on the role sport continues to play in the country.From the athletics track and swimming pool to cricket grounds, rugby fields, rural horse-racing events and community sporting facilities, the awards recognised both the stars in the spotlight and those working away from it.
The night belonged to established champions such as Simbine, Sekgodiso and Coetzé, but it also provided a platform for young athletes such as Walaza and highlighted the contribution of coaches, volunteers, officials, administrators and journalists.
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