The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has revealed the names of the nominees for the 19th Edition of the South African Sport Awards.
The awards are set to take place on Sunday, 23 August 2026 at the Sun City Superbowl, North West with over 1,200 attendees.
Public and Federation Nominations for the awards opened on 1 July 2026 and closed 19 July 2026 while the Independent audit verification was conducted between 21 and 24 July 2026 to ensure full compliance.
Adjudication took place over two seatings [24–26 July and 1 August 2026], ending with a secret ballot overseen directly by independent auditors to lock in the top 3 per category.
Full list of the categories and nominees:
Sport Star of the Year: Temba Bavuma, Akani Simbine, Malcolm Marx
Sportsman of the Year: Christiaan Maas, Pieter Coetzee, Kevin Lerena
Sportswoman of the Year: Laura Wolvaardt, Kira Bester, Prudence Sekgodiso
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Christian Sadie, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Puseletso Michael Mabote
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Kgothatso Montjane, Sheryl James, Simoné Kruger
Coach of the Year: Rocco Meiring, Shukri Conrad, Thabo Matebedi
Sport Team of the Year: Golf RSA Eisenhower Team, Protea Men’s Test Cricket, 4×400 Men’s Relay Team
National Federation of the Year: Golf RSA, Tennis South Africa, Cricket South Africa
Technical Official of the Year: Ernesta Strydom, Abongile Tom, Aimee Barrett-Theron
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year: Prudence Sekgodiso, Siseko Teyisi, Bayanda Walaza
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year: Men’s U20 Rugby Team, SA U19 Tug-of-War Team, Proteas Women U19 T20 Cricket Team
Sport Administrator of the Year: Jonathan (Jono) Leaf-Wright, Sonja Schultz, Anthony Moruthane
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, Nqobile Kunene Rural, Puleng Moeketsane
Sports Media Journalist of the Year: Palesa Manaleng, Rachel Makhura, Vuyo Macoba.
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year: Hlobisile Khumalo, Alche Greeff, Skhu Nkomphela