Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine and Malcolm Marx Lead South African Sport Awards 2026 Shortlist
- Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine and Malcolm Marx are among the biggest names in contention as South Africa’s sporting stars prepare for a major night of recognition
- The South African Sport Awards shortlist features familiar faces from cricket, rugby, athletics and several other sporting codes, with plenty still to play for
- With the 2026 ceremony approaching, attention is turning to the nominees who could walk away with one of the country’s most coveted sporting honours
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South Africa’s sporting stars will battle for national recognition after Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie announced the nominees for the 19th South African Sport Awards on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 23 August 2026, at the Sun City Superbowl in the North-West Province.
This year’s theme is “Crowned By Greatness”, with the awards recognising performances recorded between 1 January and 31 December 2025. The official awards platform says the event celebrates athletes, teams and sporting professionals who have made significant contributions to South African sport.
The previous edition, held in August 2025, saw swimmer Tatjana Smith win Sport Star of the Year, while the men’s 4x100m relay team took Team of the Year.
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Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine and Malcolm Marx lead the way
The biggest prize, Sport Star of the Year, features Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma, sprint star Akani Simbine and Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx.
Sportsman of the Year nominees are golfer Christiaan Maas, swimmer Pieter Coetzee and boxer Kevin Lerena.
For Sportswoman of the Year, the finalists are Proteas batter Laura Wolvaardt, canoeist Kira Bester and athlete Prudence Sekgodiso.
Sekgodiso also appears in the Youth/Junior Sport Star category alongside boxer Siseko Teyisi and athlete Bayanda Walaza.
Full list of South African Sport Awards nominees
The published nominee list from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture includes the following categories and finalists:
Sport Administrator of the Year: Jonathan (Jono) Leaf-Wright (Central Gauteng Lions), Sonja Schultz (Cycling), Anthony Moruthane (Tennis)
Recreation Body of the Year: Khokho Association South Africa, Swartland Community Sport Centre, Durban Africa Sports Club
Sport Volunteer of the Year: Moenyane Dementia Modikwe (Roller Sport), Nqobile Kunene (Rural Horse Racing), Puleng Moeketsane (Mini-Cricket)
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year: Prudence Sekgodiso, Siseko Teyisi, Bayanda Walaza
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year: Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team, SA Under-19 Tug-of-War Team, Proteas Women’s U19 T20 Cricket Team
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year: Hlobisile Khumalo, Alché Greeff, Skhu Nkomphela
Sports Media Journalist of the Year: Palesa Manaleng, Rachel Makhura, Vuyo Macoba
Technical Official of the Year: Ernesta Strydom, Abongile Tom, Aimee Barrett-Theron
National Federation of the Year: Golf RSA, Tennis South Africa, Cricket South Africa
Sport Team of the Year: Golf RSA Eisenhower Team, Proteas Men’s Test Cricket Team, 4x400m Men’s Relay Team
Coach of the Year: Rocco Meiring, Shukri Conrad, Thabo Matebedi
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Kgothatso Montjane, Sheryl James, Simoné Kruger
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Christian Sadie, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Puseletso Michael Mabote
Sportswoman of the Year: Laura Wolvaardt, Kira Bester, Prudence Sekgodiso
Sportsman of the Year: Christiaan Maas, Pieter Coetzee, Kevin Lerena
Sport Star of the Year: Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine, Malcolm Marx
A long-running celebration of South African sport
The South African Sport Awards have evolved into a celebration that extends well beyond the country’s biggest sporting stars. The programme also shines a light on coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers, media professionals and para-athletes whose work often happens away from the spotlight.
This year’s ceremony will therefore recognise contributions at different levels of the sporting system, from emerging talent and grassroots participation to teams and individuals competing on the international stage.
While the battle involving Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine and Malcolm Marx is expected to attract plenty of attention, several other categories will also produce winners on the night. With the ceremony set for 23 August at Sun City, the focus now shifts to the final outcome and which nominees will have reason to celebrate.
Source: Getty Images
Gayton McKenzie faces backlash over PSL tackle comments
Briefly News also reported that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie faced strong reactions from football supporters after calling on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to act against what he described as “thuggery”. This followed a controversial tackle involving Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Tashreeq Matthews.
While McKenzie said the challenge could have caused a serious spinal injury, some supporters questioned why he had singled out that incident. Others pointed to recent injuries involving Orlando Pirates players and used the debate to renew calls for greater consistency in dealing with dangerous challenges.
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Source: Briefly News
