South Africa's Premier Sports Honors Celebrate Two Decades of Athletic Excellence at Sun C
Recognition spans athletes, administrators, coaches and volunteers across South African sport.
Sun City’s Superbowl venue hosted the 19th South African Sport Awards on Saturday, 19 August 2026, gathering the country’s athletes, administrators, coaches, officials and journalists under the theme “Crowned in Greatness” for an evening that marked nearly two decades of formal recognition across South African sport.
The ceremony’s framework covered the full operational breadth of the sporting ecosystem, from individual performance to the administrative and volunteer structures that keep competitive sport functioning. Akani Simbine took Sport Star of the Year, and the Protea Men’s Test Cricket team claimed Team of the Year, two selections that anchored the night’s headline honours.
Athletics carried significant weight across the individual categories. Prudence Sekgodiso was named Sportswoman of the Year, while swimmer Pieter Coetze received the Sportsman of the Year accolade. Bayanda Walaza earned Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year recognition, and the Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team took the corresponding team award. The ceremony also honoured para-athletes: Simoné Kruger as Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, and Puseletso Michael Mabote as Sportsman of the Year with a Disability in the Para athletics 400m T63 category.
The awards did not stop at competitors.
Anthony Moruthane received Sport Administrator of the Year for his work in tennis. Thabo Matebedi was named Coach of the Year in athletics. Aimee Barrett-Theron earned Technical Official of the Year recognition for her contributions to rugby. Nqobile Kunene was named Sport Volunteer of the Year for work in rural horse racing, a category that surfaces the often-invisible labour sustaining grassroots sport. Cricket South Africa took National Federation of the Year, and the Khokho Association South Africa received Recreation Body of the Year honours.
Media roles drew formal recognition too. Skhu Nkomphela was named Sport Visual Journalist of the Year for sport photography, and Rachel Makhura received the Sports Media Journalist of the Year award for broadcasting.
Lifetime achievement and sustained service shaped the ceremony’s closing honours. Ms Siya Vabaza-Booi and Mr Selwyn Nathan received the Steve Tshwete Lifetime award. The Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket went to Mr William Mtolo, Mr Teenage Dladla, Prof. Mlungisi Ngubane and Mr Patson Banda. Excellence awards were presented to Mr Rayno Nel, Ms Tasneem Solomons and Mr Temba Bavuma.
Organisers framed the 2026 edition as a reflection of South Africa’s wider sporting infrastructure, noting that nominees and winners collectively represent the discipline and dedication that sustain the country’s standing in international competition. Whether that infrastructure continues to produce the next generation of award-worthy talent across all disciplines, including those still underserved at grassroots level, remains the practical question the ceremony leaves open.
Q&A
What was the theme of the 19th South African Sport Awards ceremony?
The theme was 'Crowned in Greatness', marking nearly two decades of formal recognition across South African sport.
Which athletes received the headline Sport Star of the Year awards?
Akani Simbine took Sport Star of the Year, and the Protea Men's Test Cricket team claimed Team of the Year.
What category specifically recognized grassroots sport infrastructure?
Sport Volunteer of the Year, awarded to Nqobile Kunene for work in rural horse racing, surfacing the often-invisible labour sustaining grassroots sport.
Which organizations received federation and recreation body recognition?
Cricket South Africa took National Federation of the Year, and the Khokho Association South Africa received Recreation Body of the Year honours.