South African sport is as much a saga of close calls as it is of iconic victories. Some moments flicker forever in the national imagination, not because they happened, but because they almost did. The five greatest what ifs in South African sporting history invite the reader to imagine worlds where heartbreak turned to triumph, or vice versa, reshaping not only matches, but the spirit of the country itself.

Springbok rugby’s most storied day remains the 1995 World Cup final. If Joel Stransky’s extra-time drop goal had drifted wide, the Springboks’ fairy-tale ending may have evaporated and the image of Nelson Mandela in a green jersey might never have become a symbol of unity. South Africa’s reconciliation through sport would have been far less assured. The Springboks might not have become the unifying symbol that they did. The nation’s subsequent World Cup successes could have played out very differently without the heroics of the Class of 1995.

South African cricket fans are used to heartbreak but the founding tragedy for many Proteas supporters was the 1999 World Cup semi-final. A misjudged run between Lance Klusener and Allan Donald left the Proteas one short of victory against Australia, sending the Australians through to the final, where they won easily. Had South Africa completed that single, the team may have had a golden chance to bury the “chokers” label before it stuck. Instead of waiting for Graeme Smith’s men to find redemption a decade later, the Proteas could have celebrated a golden era at the turn of the century.

Football's golden generation

Football’s golden generation reached a pivotal moment at the 2002 World Cup. If Siyabonga Nomvethe’s late chance against Spain had found the net, South Africa may have advanced to the knockout stages, sparking new investment and belief in local football. A strong performance could have fuelled a surge similar to that seen in Japan and South Korea, leading to a consistent presence at major tournaments and making South Africa a continental force.

Turning to club football, the 2001 CAF Champions League final offered another near miss. Had Mamelodi Sundowns beaten Al Ahly, the club would have joined Orlando Pirates as continental champions far earlier, raising the club’s profile and accelerating investment in Pretoria and beyond. A Sundowns win might have inspired other PSL clubs to pursue continental success with greater determination, changing the trajectory of South African club football and strengthening its standing across Africa. This continental success could also have boosted the national side and turned South Africa into a football powerhouse.

West Indies What If?

A final great what if lies further back in cricket’s past. Had the West Indies proceeded with their scheduled cricket tour of South Africa in 1959, they would have played against teams made up of black, coloured, and Indian players, breaking the colour bar on South African cricket fields a decade before official isolation began. The sight of West Indian and South African players sharing the same stage could have sparked an early challenge to the apartheid system within sport, setting a precedent for other codes and increasing pressure on the state. The timeline of sports resistance to apartheid might have shifted dramatically if these cracks had appeared in 1959 instead of the 1970s.

For South Africa, the line between glory and regret has always been razor-thin. Through the lens of these near-misses and alternate realities, sport offers a reminder that the smallest moments can shape the loudest echoes in a nation’s story. These what ifs challenge readers to consider how different choices and outcomes could have altered South Africa’s sporting identity, and perhaps its history far beyond the field.