SANTA'S LIST: presents for the special sporties of 2024

As we wind down to the end of what has been a momentous year in sport, it is time to reflect on some of the men and women who left us open-mouthed in awe, and will hopefully be left stunned themselves by the pile of pressies they see when they walk into the lounge on Wednesday morning!

Orlando Pirates - making the league great again

After years and years of Sundowns dominance, the Buccaneers look like they will make a title race of it this time around. And it is certainly re-invigorating the local scene, with interest levels at their highest in years.

Santa must bring wind for the sails of the Pirates, so that the challenge goes as deep into the season as possible.

Blitzboks - bringing back the pride

After a number of lean years, the Bok 7s boys made us smile again with a surprise Olympic bronze, and then a gold at the Cape Town SVNS. The first home tournament victory since 2015.

May Santa bring the boys some blinkers, so that they can only look forward from here.

Akani Simbine - at last!

If anyone was getting an Olympic-size headache, it was SA's very own Akani Simbine. Fifth in the men's 100m final in Rio 2016, fourth in Tokyo and then fourth again in Paris, he must have been wondering if he'd ever own one of those treasured circles.

Step up three teammates - including an 18-year-old schoolboy and a 19 year old - to give him the baton for the final leg within touching distance of a medal. One push of the afterburner button later, Simbine past most of the field and was now in possession of his prized medal.

Santa should deliver a cloud, so that Akani can now add his silver lining.

Kagiso Rabada - the fastest

SA quickie Kagiso Rabada became the 37th bowler to reach 300 test wickets - and the quickest in terms of balls bowled. Just 11 817 deliveries meant he was 785 balls quicker than the next best, Waqar Younis.

Once Santa has delivered all the pressies, we hope he leaves a load of empty sacks for you. You need somewhere to store all those wickets, and the hopefully 100s more to come...

Franco Smith - did URC what he did?

Former Bok Franco Smith coached a relatively unknown Glasgow team to their first ever URC title – and they lifted that trophy at the formerly impenetrable fortress Loftus.

Santa will probably deliver an IOU - a coaching job in SA in the not too distant future...

Kwena Maphaka - up and coming

The latest Protea starlet became the youngest man to play international cricket for South Africa at the age of 18 years and 137 days in a T20I against the West Indies at Tarouba in Trinidad in August.

The boy has a seriously bright future - so maybe some shades, and a passport!

Novak Djokovic - the golden slam

The debate will rage forever - who is the greatest tennis player of all time? It'll never be answered, of course, but all we know is he is the man with the most Slams, and the only thing missing from his golden collection was an Olympic title.

Well, cue a quite remarkable performance in the Paris final against Carlos Alcaraz, which led to one of the most emotional celebrations of the entire Games.

Santa - you don't have to worry about Novak. He already has everything...

 Ox Nche - hold the salad

The Bok prop has become the most feared scrummager in the world, and he did so while still remaining one of the most likable characters in the game.

Santa will hopefully help his legend grow by handing out his 'Salads don't win scrums' merchandise this festive season.

Simone Biles - flooring the opposition

If there was one athlete that absolutely cemented their status as a GOAT, it was Simone Biles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Having withdrawn from Tokyo Games with a case of the 'twisties', she went on to win another four medals and become the most decorated American gymnast of all time.

When lookiing for an example of someone who 'transcends their sport', look no further than Simone. Icon, idol, inimitable.

Santa - how about some GOAT earrings to go along with that necklace?

Proteas - tons of tons 

A trio of Proteas test cricketers - Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder - scored their maiden test hundreds against Bangladesh at Chattogram, the first time a team has had three first-time hundred scorers in the same test since the West Indies achieved the feat against India in Delhi in 1948.

Santa should be delivering some very special head gear shortly - that's not a hat-trick we get to see that often!

Laura Wolvaardt - hungry like a Wolf

SA's women's cricket captain returned to the top of the ODI rankings during the series against England. Earlier this year she also posted the record ODI score for SA – 184* against Sri Lanka at Potchefstroom in April.

May Father Christmas deliver many a dark night sky, so we can continue to watch this star rise.

Scottie Scheffler - undisputed No 1

OK, so he doesn't have the charisma of a Tiger. But he certainly produced a Tiger-like year in 2024 by just playing incredibly consistent, world-class golf.

All in all there were nine wins, including a second major (Masters), and Olympic gold and the FedEx Cup.

We're asking for Santa to sprinkle a little personality, so that we might even see a fist pump or two in 2025!

Nelly Korda - Scottie's mirror

Staying with golf, Nelly Korda delivered a year as dominant as the one mentioned above on the LPGA Tour.

Her run of five consecutive wins, culminating in the a second major at the Chevron Championship, was the first time we had seen such a feat since Annika Sorenstam in 2004. Another couple of wins took her magic number to seven for the season.

Santa should do some aura sharing in the Korda household this Xmas. How cool would it be to see Jessica get back up to the top of the game and fight it out with her sister?

Sifan Hassan - just ridiculous

The Dutch athlete set limits at the Paris Games that may never be reached again. After winning bronze medals in both the exhausting 5 000m and 10 000m events, she was then involved in a sprint at the end of the marathon to win the gold she so richly deserved. How?

We hope Santa brings you the world's most comfortable bed. No one deserves the best rest more.

Tristan Stubbs - the go to

For someone we all thought was perhaps a T20 specialist, he certainly showed he is a cricketer for all formats with a triple-ton in local first-class, four-day cricket, followed by a couple of test tons to just make sure we were educated.

He is now the first name on any Protea team sheet when available, and Santa should bring him a camouflage outfit so the world keeps thinking he is just a big hitter....

Tatjana Smith - new name, same amazingness

Her surname may have changed to one of the most common in the world, but there was nothing normal about her performances in 2024.

After winning gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m in Tokyo, she swopped those medals around at the Paris Games to become SA's most decorated Olympian.

Santa will be delivering a sleigh-load of toothpaste, as we never want to see that incredible smile fade. Thank you, Tatjana.

Springboks - pride of a nation

Finally, a big shout out to Rassie, Siya and all the men and women who helped the Boks achieve what they did in 2024. Some 11 wins from 13 tests, with both losses by a single point, and three players nominated for World Player of the Year (there were only four players in total nominated), spoke to the dominance of the boys in green and gold.

Pieter Steph du Toit was again the world's best player, and all we can say is Santa delivered their gift a little early this year. A PPC truck was seen leaving the Bok headquarters after they had cemented their legend in 2024. We'll leave you with their best performance of the year....

Merry Xmas, and the happiest of 2025s!