Powerhouse Shortlist revealed for gsport Awards

Following a gruelling selection process from nearly 475 nominations received from the public, an esteemed independent panel of judges has finalised the shortlists.

The elite panel consists of iconic gsport Hall of Famers Hazel Gumede, Jane Bramley and Cynthia Tshaka, alongside celebrated former winners - Mapaseka Makhanya and Phumelela Hlophe.

The year under review (30 June 2025 to 31 May 2026) has produced unprecedented excellence, from teenagers dismantling decades-old motorsport barriers to national teams capturing the hearts of the continent.

The Athlete of the Year category features an elite trio who have dominated the global stage… 

Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt is shortlisted after anchoring South Africa’s historic World Cup Final run and smashing a record breaking 47-ball T20I century against India. She faces fierce competition from swimming powerhouse Lara van Niekerk, who secured a legendary "golden hat-trick" of national breaststroke titles in April 2026, and track sensation Prudence Sekgodiso, currently ranked World No. 7 in the 800m. 

READ: Marizanne Kapp - Proteas Women have not peaked yet

The Team of the Year category will be equally contested…

The Proteas Women are shortlisted alongside the SA Women’s Rugby 15s, who went undefeated to claim the 2026 Africa Cup under Swys de Bruin. Joining them is the Athletics SA Sprint Team, who shattered a 26-year-old national 4x100m record at the May 2026 World Athletics Relays.

The Emerging Athlete of the Year category also shines a spotlight on the country's bright future, headlined by DHL Western Province rugby sensation Abigail Smit. The towering 20-year-old lock is shortlisted following a senior national call-up, officially making her international Test debut for the Springbok Women during the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Nairobi.

South Africa's schoolgirl icons take centre stage in the School Sports Star of the Year category. The finalists shortlisted include 16-year-old motorsport prodigy Chloe Stuart, the first woman in 50 years to win a Formula V series title. Another is 17-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns professional and dual-national youth captain Katleho Malebana, and 14-year-old cricket sensation Ziya Mohanlall.

In the Para Sport Star of the Year category, world champion discus thrower Simoné Kruger is shortlisted alongside swimming sensation Alani Ferreira and sprinter Liezl Gouws.

Off the field, the awards recognise the strategic forces transforming the sporting landscape. Cricket South Africa, SAFA and SA Rugby are the finalists shortlisted for Federation of the Year, each celebrated for breaking corporate barriers and accelerating professional women's sport structures.