South African Sport Awards Nominees Revealed
SUN CITY — 11 August 2025
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has announced nominations for the 18th South African Sport Awards, celebrating achievements from 1 January to 31 December 2024.
With the theme “Celebrating Sporting Excellence,” the awards ceremony takes place Sunday, 24 August at Sun City Superbowl. Nineteen categories will recognise outstanding individuals, teams, and sports officials (Department statement).
Prestigious nominations for Sport Star of the Year go to sprinter Akani Simbine, swimmer Tatjana Smith, and para-athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo. Nominees for Sportsman of the Year include Simbine, mountain biker Alan Hatherly, and rugby player Pieter-Stephanus Du Toit.
Contenders for Sportswoman of the Year are swimmer Tatjana Smith, bowler Tasneem Solomons, and cricketer Laura Wolvaardt. Youth hopefuls include Bayanda Walaza, touted after “teenager sets new national record in 100m sprint,” along with Noah Bennett and Simoné Kruger.
Team nominations feature the men’s 4x100m relay (Paris Olympics), wheelchair tennis pair Donald Ramphadi & Lucas Sithole, and the Protea Women’s T20 cricket team.
Other key categories: Sports Administrator of the Year lists Gavin Crookes, Pholetsi Moseki, and Hezekiel Sepeng; Coach of the Year includes Jason Sewanyana, Rocco Meiring, and Andries Kruger; National Federation of the Year sees Cycling South Africa, Golf South Africa, and SA Rugby Union vying for honours.
The awards showcase the finest in South African sport across codes, culminating at Sun City later this month.