{"id":24905,"date":"2025-08-25T11:17:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T09:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=24905"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:58:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:58:34","slug":"sa-sports-awards-2025-smith-kruger-dominate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sa-sports-awards-2025-smith-kruger-dominate\/","title":{"rendered":"SA Sports Awards 2025: Tatjana Smith and Simone Kruger Dominate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>South Africa\u2019s finest sporting talent took centre stage at the 18th edition of the SA Sports Awards. The dazzling Sun City Superbowl hosted the event on Sunday night. The evening, held under the theme \u201c<em>Celebrating Sporting Excellence<\/em>\u201d, honoured athletes, coaches, administrators, and media professionals. They have made an impact both locally and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tatjana-smith-dominates-the-night\">Tatjana Smith Dominates the Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Smith emerged as the standout winner. She claimed two of the most prestigious accolades of the evening. The swimming sensation was crowned Sportswoman of the Year. She then secured the biggest honour, Sport Star of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith edged out stiff competition from sprint king Akani Simbine and Paralympic record-breaker Mpumelelo Mhlongo. Thus, she clinched the top prize, reaffirming her status as one of the country\u2019s greatest athletes. Her remarkable achievements in the pool over the past year cemented her place as the face of South African sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SASportAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SASportAwards<\/a> Sport Star of the Year Tatjana Smith says she is still committed to inspiring  the next generation of athletes and wants to contribute in growing the sport of swimming in the country.<br><br>\ud83d\udcf9 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSport<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/flexmpumi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@flexmpumi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IzinjaZeGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#IzinjaZeGame<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UpLFqa4hMj\">pic.twitter.com\/UpLFqa4hMj<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1959856467596525958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2892927632\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-simone-kruger-s-double-triumph\">Simone Kruger\u2019s Double Triumph<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Paralympic star Simone Kruger also enjoyed a memorable evening. She scooped two major awards. The discus and shot put champion won Junior Sport Star of the Year. Furthermore, she was awarded Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kruger\u2019s incredible performances in 2024, which included double gold at the Paris Paralympics. Also, her success at the World Championships, ensured her recognition. The awards committee nominated her alongside wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane and Minke Janse van Rensburg. However, her world-class season saw her take the honours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Paralympic champion Simone Kruger reacts after walking away with two SA Sports Awards &#8211; Junior Star of the Year and the Sportswomen of Year with a Disability.<br><br>\ud83d\udcf9 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSport<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/flexmpumi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@flexmpumi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SASportAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SASportAwards<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aiJVx2QAL5\">pic.twitter.com\/aiJVx2QAL5<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1959897360739487961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-team-success-on-the-global-stage\">Team Success on the Global Stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The spotlight also shone on the 4x100m men\u2019s relay team. They claimed the Team of the Year accolade following their historic victory at the Paris Olympics. Their triumph highlighted South Africa\u2019s growing dominance in athletics relays and brought pride to the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, one of the country\u2019s most celebrated para-athletes, took home the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability award. His consistent performances on the world stage earned him this accolade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc5 \ud835\udd4a\ud835\udd38 \ud835\udd4a\ud835\udd61\ud835\udd60\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd65 \ud835\udd38\ud835\udd68\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd55\ud835\udd64 \ud83c\udfc5<br><br>\ud835\ude82\ud835\ude99\ud835\ude98\ud835\ude9b\ud835\ude9d \ud835\ude83\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude96 \ud835\ude98\ud835\ude8f \ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude91\ud835\ude8e \ud835\ude88\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude9b: \ud835\udffa\ud835\udea1\ud835\udff7\ud835\udff6\ud835\udff6\ud835\ude96 \ud835\ude7c\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude97&#39;\ud835\ude9c \ud835\ude83\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude96 (\ud835\ude7f\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude9b\ud835\ude92\ud835\ude9c \ud835\ude7e\ud835\ude95\ud835\udea2\ud835\ude96\ud835\ude99\ud835\ude92\ud835\ude8c\ud835\ude9c)<br><br>\ud83d\udea8 LIVE<br>\ud83d\udcfa SABC Sport | SABC 1<br>\ud83d\udcf1 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/26PdrPrnVE\">https:\/\/t.co\/26PdrPrnVE<\/a><br>\ud83c\udf10 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hibb8lgo8P\">https:\/\/t.co\/hibb8lgo8P<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IzinjaZeGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#IzinjaZeGame<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SASportAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SASportAwards<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSport<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3XuoEdmyTp\">pic.twitter.com\/3XuoEdmyTp<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1959692652586181046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3392849365\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-recognising-coaches-officials-and-administrators\">Recognising Coaches, Officials and Administrators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dsac.gov.za\/South%20African%20Sport%20Awards%2018th%20Edition%20List%20of%20Winners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The awards<\/a> not only celebrated athletes but also honoured the individuals behind the scenes who ensure South African sport thrives. Swimming coach Rocco Meiring, who has played a pivotal role in Tatjana Smith\u2019s success, was named Coach of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cricket South Africa\u2019s Pholetsi Moseki received the Sport Administrator of the Year award. Meanwhile, para-cycling\u2019s Ernesta Strydom was acknowledged as Technical Official of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-media-and-community-contributions\">Media and Community Contributions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The role of media and volunteers was also highlighted on the night. Veteran photographer Roger Sedres walked away with the Sport Visual Journalist of the Year award. Meanwhile, Palesa Manaleng was named Sports Media Journalist of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Football volunteer Phuti Leolani was honoured with the Sport Volunteer of the Year award. This was for his dedication at grassroots level. Meanwhile, Made for More Zama in para surfing won Recreation Body of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-784175\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-full-list-of-key-winners\">Full List of Key Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sport Star of the Year:<\/strong> Tatjana Smith (Swimming)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sportswoman of the Year:<\/strong> Tatjana Smith (Swimming)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sportsman of the Year:<\/strong> Alan Hatherly (Cycling)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability:<\/strong> Simon\u00e9 Kruger (Para Athletics)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sportsman of the Year with a Disability:<\/strong> Mpumelelo Mhlongo (Para Athletics)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Junior Sport Star of the Year:<\/strong> Simon\u00e9 Kruger (Para Athletics)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Team of the Year:<\/strong> 4x100m Men\u2019s Relay Team (Paris Olympics)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coach of the Year:<\/strong> Rocco Meiring (Swimming)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Federation of the Year:<\/strong> South African Rugby Union (Rugby)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-night-to-remember-for-south-african-sport\">A Night to Remember for South African Sport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From <a href=\"https:\/\/sundayworld.co.za\/sports\/more-sports\/tatjana-smith-wins-big-at-2025-sa-sports-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seasoned champions<\/a> like Tatjana Smith to rising stars such as Simone Kruger. The 18th edition of the SA Sports Awards showcased the depth, diversity, and resilience of South African sport. The ceremony not only honoured excellence but also highlighted stories of perseverance. These stories of triumph continue to inspire the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s sporting heroes once again reminded the country why they are proudly celebrated. They are regarded as the heartbeat of a nation\u2019s sporting identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/csa-awards-maharaj-mlaba-dominate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSA Awards 2024\/25: Maharaj Dominates as Mlaba Steals the Show<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa\u2019s finest sporting talent took centre stage at the 18th edition of the SA Sports Awards. The dazzling Sun City Superbowl hosted the event on Sunday night. The evening, held under the theme \u201cCelebrating Sporting Excellence\u201d, honoured athletes, coaches, administrators, and media professionals. They have made an impact both locally and internationally. Tatjana Smith<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":24910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africa\u2019s finest sporting talent took centre stage at the 18th edition of the SA Sports Awards. The dazzling Sun City Superbowl hosted the event on Sunday...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[352],"class_list":{"0":"post-24905","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-sa-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24905"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24911,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24905\/revisions\/24911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}