Article by: Dineo Pearl Modise (Journalist)
Leagues, tournaments, and the biggest sporting events were forced to pause due to the global coronavirus pandemic and what began as a year of hope and prospective growth, resulted in a year of survival. Here are the biggest sporting moments that occurred in 2020:
Women’s Cricket:
During March, Cricket South Africa’s Proteas Women’s team made it to the
semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after an exciting group stage triumph over
favourites England showing great progress.
Momentum Proteas captain, Dané van Niekerk, and star all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp, have been named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Decade.
Motorsport’s:
As South Africans were celebrating National Women’s Day on the 9th of August the country was were given another reason to celebrate the day when Brad Binder became the first South African to win a MotoGP World Championship race and the first rookie to do so since 2013, when he won the Czech Grand Prix at Brno. This was Binders first season competing in the MotoGP circuit and was also named 2020 MotoGP rookie of the year.
Women’s Football:
Banyana Banyana’s rankings have moved to 53rd in the world and third on the continent on FIFA Rankings. This serves as a reflection of the progress that South African women’s football is making.
Another progressive moment was celebrated in 2020 when Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the first SAFA Women’s National League Champions with TUT as runners up and Bloemfontein Celtics third placed.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Banyana Banyana goalkeeper and captain Andile Dlamini was awarded Goalkeeper of the Season. TUT Striker, Hilda Magaia who assisted Banyana Banyana in winning their fourth COSAFA Cup in a row, was awarded Player of the Season. Magaia and Rhoda Mulaudzi were both awarded the top goal scorer of the season award with 36 goals each while Celtics and U17 Women’s National Team player, Kananelo Taiwe scooped the Young Player of the Season award.
Banyana Banyana International striker Ode Fulutudilu signed with SWPL 1 reigning Champions, Glasgow City FC. She joined the Scottish side from Finnish side, Aland United where she helped them lift the League and Cup becoming Champions for the first time in seven years.
Men’s Football:
Orlando Pirates halted their trophy less run and claimed the 2020 MTN 8 as their first silverware in 6 years under the wing of Coach Josef Zinnbauer who delivered a long-awaited trophy in his first full year in charge of the team
Mamelodi Sundowns sealed their first ever treble of the Telkom Knockout, Nedbank Cup and League Title under the wing of Coach Pitso Mosimane who has broken many records in 2020: becoming the coach with the most league titles in PSL, the first black coach to manage a Northern African team in Al Ahly, winning a treble with Mamelodi Sundowns while completing the treble with Al Ahly in his first 3 months.
First Female Gamer to Win SA National Board Games Championship
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) agreed to host the SA National Championships for Morabaraba in December 2020 while South Africa has been in the grip of COVID-19 at a venue that could accommodate all entries and all the state’s regulations.
Saudah Bhaimia (Curro Klerksdorp), completely dominated the field for the third time in a row at the South African National Board Games Championships,
She won the 2018 and 2019 South African National Championships and went on to win her third consecutive national title, making her the first female gamer in South Africa to do so in the Morabaraba game.
Tatjana Schoenmaker dominates swimming Headlines
South Africa’s swim sensation, Tatjana Schoenmaker, continues to break records since the return of the sport, breaking another African record at the NTS Championships in December, swimming to the finish line in a time of 30:52.
In September, Schoenmaker broke the 200m breaststroke record which was set by Suzaan van Biljon 12 years ago, in a time of 2min 18.20sec at the South African Shortcourse Championships
Fabienne Lanz Crowned KZ2 Champion
Fabienne Lanz ended 2020 in style by overturning an 8-point shortfall to be crowned KZ2 champion at the ROK Cup South Africa National Championships, at the Zwartkops International Kart Circuit. Lanz finished second on the day of the race and overtook multiple SA Karting champion and championship leader, Bradley Liebenberg, for the title.