SA Sport Awards nominees revealed

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has officially announced the nominees for the 18th edition of the South African Sport Awards, which will take place on 24 August, in Rustenburg.

The event, held under the theme “Celebrating Sporting Excellence’ will honour standout performances across 19 categories, covering achievements from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

The coveted Sport Star of the Year award pits Olympic medalists Akani Simbine and Tatjana Smith against Paralympic champ Mpumelelo Mhlongo for the top spot.

Other highlights include the Federation of the Year category, with Cycling South Africa, Golf South Africa, and the South African Rugby Union nominated for their contribution to sport development and international success.

The awards aim to celebrate not just athletes, but coaches, administrators, and federations who have made significant contributions to South African sport.

The SA Sport Awards 2025 nominees are as follows: 

Sport Administrator of the Year

• Gavin Crookes
• Pholetsi Moseki
• Hezekiel Sepeng

Recreation Body of the Year

• Beaufort West Older Persons Club
• Mac Masina Foundation
• Made for More

Sport Volunteer of the Year

• Phuti Lekoloane
• Sandile Lukhele
• Ingrid La Fleur

Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year

• Bayanda Walaza
• Noah Bennett
• Simoné Kruger

Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year

• Under 20 – 4×4 Relay
• Under 19 Men’s Cricket Team
• SA U19 Tug of War Men’s Team

Sport Visual Journalist of the Year

• Roger Sedres
• Phakamisa Lensman
• Thulisile Dlamini

Sports Media Journalist of the Year

• Stuart Hess
• Charles Baloyi
• Palesa Manaleng

Technical Official of the Year

• Ernesta Strydom
• Adrian Holdstock
• Aimee Barrett-Theron

National Federation of the Year

• Cycling South Africa
• Golf South Africa
• SA Rugby Union

Sport Team of the Year

• 4x100m Men’s Team (Paris Olympics)
• Donald Ramphadi & Lucas Sithole
• Protea Women Team – Cricket – T20

Coach of the Year

• Jason Sewanyana
• Rocco Meiring
• Andries Kruger

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability

• Kgothatso Montjane
• Simone Kruger
• Minke Janse van Rensburg

Sportsman of the Year with a Disability

• Mpumelelo Mhlongo
• Pieter Du Preez
• Jean-Paul Veaudry 

Sportswoman of the Year

• Tatjana Smith
• Tasneem Solomons
• Laura Wolvaardt

Sportsman of the Year

• Alan Hatherly
• Akani Simbine
• Pieter-Stephanus Du Toit

Sport Star of the Year

• Akani Simbine
• Tatjana Smith
• Mpumelelo Mhlongo