South Africa’s finest athletes were celebrated in spectacular fashion at the 18th annual South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening, with Olympic champion Tatjana Smith emerging as the undisputed star of the night at Sun City’s iconic Superbowl venue.
The swimming sensation, fresh from her historic medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics, claimed the event’s most coveted prize – Sport Star of the Year – while also being crowned Sportswoman of the Year. Her double triumph on 24 August cemented her status as one of the nation’s greatest sporting ambassadors.
Under the inspiring theme “Celebrating Sporting Excellence,” the prestigious ceremony honoured not just medal winners, but the entire ecosystem that drives South African sport forward – from grassroots administrators to world-class coaches.
Paralympic excellence takes centre stage
The evening also shone a spotlight on para-sport excellence, with rising star Simoné Kruger delivering a memorable double victory. The young athlete claimed both the Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability awards, signalling a bright future for South African Paralympic sport.
“This is just the beginning,” Kruger told media after her triumph, embodying the optimism that permeated throughout the evening.
Para-athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo added to the Paralympic celebrations by securing the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability award, recognising another outstanding season of performances.
Cycling and team glory
On the men’s side, cyclist Alan Hatherly claimed the prestigious Sportsman of the Year title, while South Africa’s unstoppable 4x100m Men’s Relay Team – fresh from their Olympic glory in Paris – was deservedly recognised as Team of the Year.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie delivered a powerful address that captured the essence of the celebration: “This is about more than medals and trophies; it’s about resilience, passion and representing South Africa with dignity.”
Honouring the unsung heroes
True to its comprehensive vision, the ceremony celebrated achievements across all levels of sport. Cricket’s Pholetsi Moseki was named Sport Administrator of the Year, while swimming coach Rocco Meiring earned Coach of the Year honours. The South African Rugby Union took home National Federation of the Year, and various media professionals and volunteers were recognised for their crucial behind-the-scenes contributions.
The evening concluded with all winners united on stage – a powerful image of South Africa’s diverse sporting excellence. As the ceremony’s hashtag proclaimed, these champions truly are #IzinjaZeGame – the heartbeat of the nation’s sporting identity.
The 2025 SA Sports Awards served as a timely reminder that South African sport remains alive, fearless, and genuinely world-class, with both established stars and emerging talents ready to carry the flag forward on the global stage.
Full list of winners:
Sport Administrator of the Year
- Pholetsi Moseki (Cricket)
Recreation Body of the Year
- Made for More Zama (Para Surfing)
Sport Volunteer of the Year
- Phuti Lekoloane (Football)
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year
- Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year
- SA U19 Tug of War Men’s Team (Tug of War)
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year
- Roger Sedres
Sports Media Journalist of the Year
- Palesa Manaleng
Technical Official of the Year
- Ernesta Strydom (Para Cycling)
National Federation of the Year
- South African Rugby Union (Rugby)
Sport Team of the Year
- 4x100m Men’s Team (Paris Olympics)
Coach of the Year
- Rocco Meiring (Swimming)
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
- Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
- Mpumelelo Mhlongo (Para Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year
- Tatjana Smith (Swimming)
Sportsman of the Year
- Alan Hartherly (Cycling)
Sport Star of the Year
- Tatjana Smith (Swimming)
