South Africa is located at the southernmost point of the African continent. It is among the largest countries on the planet with a great population of people from various cultural backgrounds who share a passion for sports. Therefore, sports definitely play an important role in the country.
As far as the most popular kinds of sports are considered in South Africa, there are actually three of them which are football, rugby and cricket. The reason for that is the colonial influence of Great Britain. Basketball, MMA, cycling, golf, field hockey, canoeing, swimming, running, horse racing and saddle seat are some of the other sports that have a large following in the country.
Owing to the popularity of so many different sports disciplines, there are quite a few prominent tournaments and competitions that take place in South Africa. This is a significant benefit for bettors who are fond of making bets on major sports events in the country. By the way, if you would like to discover sports betting reviews, then you should visit Takebet South Africa and you will get them free of charge.
Soccer
There is an official governing organization for soccer in South Africa which is South African Football Association (SAFA). It manages the South African national football team – Bafana Bafana. South Africa’s home stadium is FNB Stadium in Johannesburg where prominent sports events take place. There are also two notable football clubs – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – that draw large crowds to their games and play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
There are lots of significant football events that occur in South Africa. The first one is the Africa Cup of Nations which is the most important football competition in Africa and is organized by the Confederation of African Football. The tournament is organized every two years. South Africa managed to become the winner of this event once in 1996.
South African Premier Division is a professional football league for men in South Africa. It is the highest division in the country’s football league structure. It is also called the Premier Soccer League. Mamelodi Sundowns is the club that has won eleven titles in this league. The National First Division or GladAfrica Championship is the second-highest competition in the country after the Premier Division. The clubs that play in this league are Free State Stars, Chippa United and Jomo Cosmos.
Nedbank Cup is another popular football event in South Africa that was founded in 1971 and is patterned after the FA Cup in England. The number of teams that participate in this tournament is thirty-two: sixteen teams from the Premier Division, eight clubs from the National First Division and eight amateur teams. The most successful football team that won thirteen titles in this competition is the Kaizer Chiefs.
Telkom Knockout is also a famed tournament in the country that was established in 1982. The name of this competition has changed many times over the years together with its sponsors. The previous names were the JPS Knockout Cup, the Coca-Cola Cup, the Rothmans Cup. Sixteen teams from the PLS take part in this event and the actual champion is Mamelodi Sundowns who has won four titles.
MTN 8 is a soccer event in which the top eight clubs in the Premier Division take part. It is among the oldest competitions which was founded in 1972. Previously the tournament was called BP Top 8 and the SAA Supa8. The champion receives the award of R8 million.
Rugby
Rugby league is a kind of sport with a growing number of fans nowadays. The Rhinos is the national rugby league team in South Africa which participated in the grand international competition Rugby League World Cup two times, in 1995 and 2000. Rugby union is also a popular sport in South Africa, especially among white citizens. The national team of the country is the Springboks who won the Rugby World Cup, another international tournament, three times in 1995, 2007 and 2019.
In South Africa, there are three major rugby league competitions. The first one is the Rhino Cup in which four teams compete against each other. The second one is the Protea Cup which comprises eight teams and the Western Province Rugby League which include five teams. When it comes to the rugby union, there is also the domestic league called the Currie Cup. It has taken place every year in winter and spring since the year 1891.
Cricket
This is also among the most popular team sports in South Africa. The Proteas is the name of the national team that contributed significantly to the popularity of this game in the country. When it comes to the most admired cricket events in the country, the first one is the CSA 4-Day Series. It is a domestic competition that was established in 1889. There are fifteen teams who participate in this tournament.
Momentum One Day Cup is another important cricket competition that takes place one day. It is also known as MTN Domestic Championship or as Standard Bank Cup. Six different teams participate in the tournament. Mzansi Super League is a professional cricket Twenty20 league that occurs every year in South Africa since the year 2018. The number of teams participating in this event is eight.
Basketball
The South African National Basketball Championship is among the most highly acclaimed basketball tournaments in this country. Cape Town Tigers is the team that became a champion in this competition last time. Basketball Africa League is another well-known event that was founded in 2021 and comprises twelve diverse teams.
Mixed martial arts (MMA)
Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) is the most considerable mixed martial arts tournament in South Africa. It has been occurring since the year 2009. Professional sportsmen from diverse countries of the world may take part in this event.
Cycling
This is also a sports discipline that enjoys considerable popularity in South Africa. That is why there are quite a few diverse cycling competitions that happen in this country. The Herald Cycle Tour is an annual competition that has been held in Port Elizabeth since 1986. It comprises 36 km and 105 km races. Umngazi Pondo Pedal is another great cycling event that takes place for four days. Knysna Cycle Tour is a cycling event for families that lasts 2 days.
The Amashova Durban Classic is considered to be among the greatest racing events in South Africa. Over ten thousand people participate in this cycling competition every year. Cape Town Cycle Tour is also a well-known race that occurs annually since 1978 and lasts for one day. Karkloof Classic MTB is a really appealing event for mounting bike riders that lasts for one day and occurs in Howick.
Golf
This is a sports discipline with a quite long history in South Africa. Therefore, there are numerous golf competitions that happen there. The South African Open is among the oldest tournaments in the history of golf which was held for the first time in 1903. It is one of the major events of the Sunshine Tour which was previously called Vodacom Tour or Sunshine Circuit.
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is another professional golf event that belongs to this Tour and takes place in South Africa. Joburg Open is one more significant competition that has occurred in November since 2007. Nedbank Golf Challenge or Million Dollar Challenge is a competition that is held every year in a golf club called Gary Player Country Club in South Africa. It was founded 41 years ago and now 12 players compete in this event annually.
Field hockey
The most famed hockey competition in South Africa is the Premier Hockey league which involves two smaller leagues for men and women that comprise six teams each. This event takes place in November and December every year.
Canoeing
There are several huge canoe tournaments that are held in South Africa. Here are some of them: Drak Challenge – a two-day marathon in Underberg, Dusi Canoe Marathon – a three-day marathon with a total distance of 120 km, Fish River Canoe Marathon – a two-day event with a distance of 81.8 km, Berg River Canoe Marathon – an annual canoe race with the distance of240 km.
Swimming
This sport is also quite popular in the country. aQuelle Ocean Racing Series is the largest swimming competition that is held in Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay). The distance of this race is 400 meters. The Nelson Mandela Bay River Mile is another swimming event that takes place on Sunday in February since the year 1924. Midmar Mile is one more competition that attracts thousands of swimmers and is held in February. Ebenezer Mile Open Swim is another grand event with a distance of 3000 meters that occurs in March.
Running
This is also a well-liked kind of sport in South Africa and there are plenty of events that are held there. Addo Elephant Trail Run is a running event that is held in the wilderness with a distance of 100 miles, 76 km or 44 km. Rhodes Trail Run is fifty-two kilometers run in the beauty of the mountains in the southern Drakensberg. Baviaanskloof Trail Run is another famous event that lasts one day in the wilderness area with a distance of 40 km. Knysna Forest Marathon is a race that is a part of the Knysna Oyster Festival and takes place mostly in the forest area.
‘Om Die Dam’ Ultra Marathon is the grand ultra marathon in South Africa that features fifty kilometers of ultra-marathon and a twenty-one kilometer half marathon. Community Chest Twilight Run is a five kilometers race that is organized by the charity organization in December. Sani Stagger Endurance Race is a big running competition that involves 2 road and 2 trail events. Other favored running events are Soweto Marathon, Giant’s Cup Trail Run, Comrades Marathon, Forever Loskop Marathon and The Greatest Train Race
Horse racing
As far as this sports discipline is considered, there are also prominent events that are held in South Africa. For example, Durban July is a horse race that occurs on the primary Saturday of July. Horses of diverse ages may participate in the competition. The champion will win the prize of R2 million. Sun Met Horse Race is another prominent horse racing event that happens in summer in Cape Town every single year.
Saddle Seat
South Africa is a country where the Saddle Seat World Cup which is among the greatest horse racing competitions, takes place every four years. This tournament was established in the 1980s and athletes from diverse countries are competing there on horses. The prize that the winner will acquire is R5 million.
