The shortlist for the 19th South African Sport Awards has been announced, with the ceremony scheduled for 23 August 2026 after a nominees’ dinner on 22 August. The awards honour performances and contributions from the 2025 sporting year and bring together athletes, coaches, administrators and members of the sports media.
Big names and diverse fields feature
Leading the list of nominees are established international stars and Paralympic standouts. Among those put forward for the main individual accolades are Tatjana Smith, Laura Wolvaardt, Alan Hatherly, Akani Simbine and Pieter‑Steph du Toit. The awards include separate categories for able-bodied and athletes with disabilities, reflecting South Africa’s growing profile on both Olympic and Paralympic stages.
In the women’s elite category, Smith, Wolvaardt and Tasneem Solomons will contest Sportswoman of the Year. The men’s shortlist for Sportsman of the Year features Hatherly, Simbine and du Toit.
Disability sport and team achievements recognised
Disability sport nominees include strong contenders in both the women’s and men’s categories. The women’s shortlist for Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability comprises Kgothatso Montjane, Simoné Kruger and Minke Janse van Rensburg. The men’s equivalent features Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Pieter du Preez and Jean Paul Veaudry.
Team awards highlight collective success on the world stage. Nominated for Team of the Year are South Africa’s men’s 4x100m relay squad from the Paris Olympics, the wheelchair tennis team from the Paris Paralympics and the Proteas Women’s T20 side.
- Event: 19th South African Sport Awards
- Nominees’ dinner: 22 August 2026
- Ceremony: 23 August 2026
- Period recognised: 2025 sporting year
Beyond the athletes: officials, media and volunteers
The awards extend beyond on‑field achievement to honour those who sustain sport. Categories will recognise administrators, technical officials, volunteers, national federations and sports journalists. For Sport Administrator of the Year the shortlist includes Gavin Crookes, Pholetsi Moseki and Hezekiel Sepeng. The nominees for Sports Media Journalist of the Year are Stuart Hess, Charles Baloyi and Palesa Manaleng. Coaching recognition features names such as Rocco Meiring and Jason Sewanyana for Coach of the Year.
| Category | Selected nominees (examples) |
|---|---|
| Sportsman/Woman of the Year | Tatjana Smith; Laura Wolvaardt; Akani Simbine; Pieter‑Steph du Toit; Alan Hatherly |
| Disability categories | Kgothatso Montjane; Simoné Kruger; Mpumelelo Mhlongo; Pieter du Preez |
| Team of the Year | Men’s 4x100m relay (Paris); Wheelchair tennis team (Paris Paralympics); Proteas Women’s T20 |
Lifetime achievement and the wider impact
The Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award will acknowledge individuals whose careers have left a lasting mark on South African sport. Nominees for this honour include former middle‑distance runner Zola Budd, administrator Louis Massyn, cricket figure Susie Pather, motorsport pioneer Desiree Wilson and Olympic marathon champion Josiah Thugwane.
Organised by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the awards are intended to highlight not only high‑performance outcomes but also the behind‑the‑scenes contributions that allow sport to function and grow. Recognition at this level can raise profiles, spotlight emerging disciplines and reinforce the work of administrators and media who help tell sporting stories.
The winners will be unveiled at the awards ceremony on 23 August, capping a week that brings together elite athletes, coaches and the wider sport community to celebrate the 2025 season.
