The 10 best and worst: All the highs and lows of SA sport in 2022

It has been an up-and-down year for South African sport, with as many highlights achieved as there were low points recorded.

We take a look at the most memorable and forgettable moments of 2022.

Highlights

Banyana Banyana (football)

The national women’s team enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.

They also secured a qualifying spot for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Springboks (rugby)

With supporters returning from a lengthy Covid hiatus, a sold out crowd of close to 50 000 fans turned up to cheer on the Boks against their biggest rivals, the All Blacks, in Mbombela.

The hosts dominated from start to finish, and despite a late red card to Kurt-Lee Arendse, they still ran out comfortable 26-10 winners.

Proteas (cricket)

The national cricket side sealed a memorable Test series win over India, with their superb pace attack revelling at home and their batters showing impressive toughness.

They had to win the last two Tests to maintain their unbeaten record against India at home, and it was an exceptional achievement against a powerhouse touring team.

ALSO READ: After an up-and-down 2022, SA sport can look forward to 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns (football)

Stamping their authority on the domestic game, Sundowns won a fifth DStv Premiership title in a row.

They also earned an impressive double by adding the Nedbank Cup title to their league crown.

Stormers (rugby)

The Stormers led a brilliant South African resurgence in the inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) season, as the SA sides recovered well from a dreadful start to the campaign.

In an all-SA final, they beat the Bulls 18-13 in a thrilling battle.

Bulls (rugby)

The Bulls had to work hard to reach the URC final, pulling off a shock victory over Irish giants Leinster in their semi-final in Dublin.

They produced an inspired performance to stun the juggernauts 27-26, ensuring Leinster went trophyless for the first time since 2017.

Chad le Clos (swimming)

It had seemed the former Olympic champion’s career was on a downward slide, but his remarkable comeback this season turned heads around the world.

He secured his first global title in any format since 2018 by racing to the 100m and 200m butterfly gold medals at the World Short-Course Championships in Melbourne.

Eben Etzebeth (rugby)

The Springbok enforcer was able to enjoy a fairytale 100th appearance for the Boks, where it all started for him in Cape Town.

His family were in the stands, his wife sang the national anthem, and the national side clinched a 2-1 series win over Wales with an emphatic 30-14 victory.

SA men’s team (hockey)

The national side had to deal with many frustrations in 2022, as usual, so roaring to victory in the FIH Nations Cup in Potchefstroom, despite the resignation of coach Garreth Ewing on the eve of the tournament, was a remarkable effort.

Victory over Ireland in the final meant South Africa grabbed a qualifying spot for the 2023/24 FIH Pro League.

Pumas (rugby)

It was a memorable Currie Cup campaign for the Pumas, who earned their first ever title by winning the final in front of a sold out crowd against Griquas in Kimberley.

It was made even more impressive by the Pumas finishing fourth on the log, which meant they had to play both their knockout matches away from home.

Low points

Bafana Bafana (football)

Failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals was a massive blow for a poorly performing SA men’s team.

They were also nowhere near the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, closing out a season which was in stark contrast to the national women’s side.

Proteas (cricket)

South Africa have kissed many toads when it comes to World Cup tournaments, but this year’s defeat to minnows the Netherlands and subsequent exit from the men’s T20 World Cup in the group stages might be the worst blow-out of them all.

A lacklustre bowling effort was followed by a miserable batting performance as they limped to 145/8 and a humiliating defeat.

Springboks (rugby)

In what is becoming a disturbing trend, the Boks slipped again Down Under, being dismantled in a 27-15 defeat in Adelaide.

They did redeem themselves to some extent with their first win in Australia since 2014 in Sydney a week later, but it still didn’t erase the disappointment and hurt of another loss against a team they should be a lot more dominant against.

Kaizer Chiefs (football)

The most popular club in the country by some distance, Chiefs have still not won a trophy since 2015.

Stuart Baxter, the coach who won them the league in 2014/15, was sacked before last season ended and it did nothing to help their fortunes.

Jacques Nienaber (rugby)

The Springbok coach had fans shaking their heads in dismay following his decision to not select his first-choice team for the Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park.

After beating the All Blacks in Mbombela the week before, Nienaber opted to leave key players on the bench, resulting in a 35-23 triumph for the tourists.

No medals (athletics)

Following the end of a golden era for the sport, South African athletes continued to experience a drought at the highest level.

After missing out on the podium at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, the national track and field team struggled again this year, failing to secure a medal at the second straight edition of the World Athletics Championships.

Elton Jantjies (rugby)

The Springbok flyhalf was arrested at OR Tambo airport for allegedly causing trouble on a flight from Dubai, and he was later embroiled in an adultery scandal with the Bok dietician.

He may have played his last game for the national side due to these transgressions

No players (tennis)

Since Kevin Anderson’s retirement in May, the shortage of quality tennis players in South Africa has been clearly exposed.

While rising star Lloyd Harris has shown real potential, his layoff due to injuries left no SA players in the singles draw at two Grand Slam tournaments for the first time since 2009.

LIV series (golf)

The sheer greed exposed by the breakaway LIV Golf tour left some supporters of the sport astounded.

One would think the world’s leading golfers had enough fancy motor cars, luxurious villas and lavish luxury goods, but apparently not, and the number of SA players who signed up was disappointing.

World Cup (football)

Similarly to the support shown to LIV Golf, the decision to allow Qatar to host the hugely popular global football showpiece made it difficult to watch.

Though the tournament did not involve the SA team, allowing a country with an appalling human rights record to host a World Cup tournament is deeply problematic.