Best sports moments of 2024

Last year saw The Springboks win the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time, making South Africa the country with the most RWC wins in history.

Now, although 2024 didn’t have a Rugby World Cup, it was still an exceptional year for South Africa and sport.

With that in mind, Breakfast with Martin Bester sports presenter Xola Ntshinga shared his picks for the best moments in sport of 2024.

1. Dricus du Plessis’ much-anticipated victory over Israel Adesanya

South African Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title after a fourth-round submission win over bitter rival Israel Adesanya in a blockbuster bout at Perth Arena.

2. Bafana Bafana takes bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations

3. Ronwen Williams Nominated for the Yashin Trophy

Bafana Bafana captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was nominated for the Yashin Trophy, becoming the first South African to be nominated for a Ballon d'Or Award. 

4. Kgothatso Montjane wins the Wimbledon Wheelchair Doubles Title

5. Team South Africa's performance at the Paris Olympics (Paris Olympics) 

South Africa won six medals at this year's Paris Olympics:

Gold

• Tatjana Smith 100m breaststroke 

Silver

• Tatjana Smith 200m Breaststroke
• Men's 4 × 100 m relay (Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine)
• Jo-Ane van Dyk - Women's javelin throw

Bronze

• South Africa national rugby sevens team (Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Quewin Nortje, Tiaan Pretorius, Tristan Leyds, Selvyn Davids, Shaun Williams, Rosko Specman, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, Ronald Brown).
• Alan Hatherly - Cycling - Men's cross-country

6. Bayanda Walaza dominated World Athletics U20 Championships securing Gold 

7. The Springboks’ entire performance during 2024:

• Triumph Over All Blacks to Reclaim Freedom Cup
• Beat Argentina in Mbombela to win the Rugby Championship 
• Unbeaten in the Autumn Nations Series in the UK 
• Ended the Year as the World’s number 1 ranked team

8.  Pieter-Steph du Toit becomes the first Springbok to win the World Rugby Player of the Year award twice

9. The Proteas Women beat Australia to reach the final of the T20 World Cup

10. Brad Binder ended the 2024 MotoGP Season at 5th in Standings

Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', on weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.

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IMAGE: X/ Screenshot