Top ten facts about South Africa sports

10. The ‘speed gun’ was invented in South Africa

The ‘speed gun’- used in cricket to record the speed at which a ball is bowled- was invented by South African, Henri Johnson. The device was first used at the 1999 

9. South Africa was the first country to be the world champions in both rugby codes

When the 7-aside South African Rugby team won the World Series in 2009, South Africa become the first country to be the world champions of both 7-aside and 15-aside rugby, since the 15-aside team had won the 2007 World Cup and still held the title in 2009.

{Image From Aljazeera}

8. South Africa holds the record for the fastest 100m breaststroke

At the 2012 Olympics in London, Cameron van der Burgh set a new Olympic and World record for the 100m breaststroke- a record he still held in 2015. He recorded a time of 58.46s.

7. South Africa is one of five countries to be ranked as the best team in all three cricket codes

Along with India, Australia, Pakistan, and England, South Africa has been ranked as the best cricket team in the world in Test, ODI and T20 cricket at some time or another. A fete only achieved by four other countries.

(Image From Wikipedia}

6. Gary Player is one of five players to have won a Grand Slam

Gary Player is one of five golfers to win a Grand Slam. A Grand Slam consists of the US Masters, US Open, British Open, and the US PGA Tours- Player won all of them at least once.

(Image From Garyplayer.com)

5. The 2010 FIFA World Cup had the fourth highest total attendance in history

With a total attendance of 3’178’856 over the course of 64 matches, South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup is the fourth most attended in history- including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which broke all previous records. The 2010 Final, held in Soweto, is the fifth most attended final of all-time, higher than the 2006 and 2014 Final.

(Image From Wikipedia)

4. South Africa is tied as having won the most Rugby World Cups

South Africa has won the most Rugby World Cups, winning their first in 1995 and second in 2007. Australia and New Zealand tie with South Africa in this regard, but have participated in 7 World Cups- compared to South Africa’s 5. If one were to only consider World Cups where all three countries have participated; then Australia, New Zealand and England have each won 1, while South Africa has won 2.

(Image From imgsva)

3. Since 1940, South African golfers have won the second most majors

Since 1940, South African golfers have won the second most majors, falling second only to the United States. South Africans, Gary Player (9), Ernie Els (4), Bobby Locke (4), Retief Goosen (2), Trevoh Immelmen (1), Louis Oosthuizen (1) and Charl Schwartzel (1) all contribute to South Africa’s total of 22. In the history of the sport, South Africa has won the fourth most majors with 22, falling to the USA’s 259, Scotland’s 54, and England’s 35.

(Image From Golf)

2. South Africa is host to the longest ultra-marathon, individually timed cycle race, and open water swimming event in the world

South Africa plays host to the Comrades Marathon (approx. 90km), Cape Argus (109km), and Midmar Mile (approx. 1.6km), which are the longest ultra-marathon, individually times cycle race and open water swimming event respectively in the world.

(Image From Incwajana)

1. South Africa was the second country to host the final of a Rugby, FIFA, and Cricket World Cup

With the exception of England, South Africa is the only country to host the final of a Cricket, Rugby, and FIFA World Cup. They hosted the final of the Rugby World Cup in 1995, Cricket World Cup in 2003, and FIFA World Cup in 2010. One of two countries to achieve the fete.

The Greatest Moment in South African Sporting History (Image From Sportblog)

Facts accurate as of 7 April 2015