SA is sports mad and Google searches prove it

It should be no surprise that South Africa has been ranked second in the world for sports-related searches in the past 12 months on Google.

Google Search data shows that while Nigeria beat us to the top spot (a score we’ll surely want to settle because losing never sits well with South Africans), we are growing our appetite for various sporting codes.

Rugby and soccer lead the way, with South Africa ranked fifth globally for rugby union searches and 13th for football (although we call it soccer).

Fans are engaging with a more diverse range of teams, athletes and tournaments than ever before. This is seen in everything from increased searches for the Fifa Club World Cup (featuring Mamelodi Sundowns) to curiosity around the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (with South Africa defending their title).

Google Search is also evolving through the roll-out of AI Mode, which allows users to get tailored answers to more complex questions. The function enables users to check live match schedules, compare ticket options and discover local fan events.

“AI Mode is making Search radically more helpful by combining personalisation with real-time capabilities. For sports fans in South Africa and around the world, it means you can follow your teams and tournaments more closely, while also discovering new ways to connect with the wider sporting community,” says Google South Africa country director Kabelo Makwane.

From local teams to international competitions, these are the sports, teams and moments that captured the nation’s attention:

Most searched sports:

1. Soccer
2. Rugby union
3. Cricket
4. Formula 1
5. Golf

Most searched sports teams:

1. Orlando Pirates FC
2. Kaizer Chiefs FC
3. Mamelodi Sundowns FC
4. Manchester United
5. Real Madrid
6. Manchester City
7. Liverpool FC
8. Arsenal FC
9. Chelsea FC
10. South Africa national rugby union team
11. FC Barcelona
12. South Africa national cricket team

Top trending sports competitions (past 12 months vs previous 12 months):

1. Paralympic Games (+3 820%)
2. ICC Champions Trophy (+2 860%)
3. Fifa Club World Cup (+2 250%)
4. Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (+2 190%)
5. Uefa Nations League (+2 090%)
6. African Nations Championship (+1 750%)

Key moments and fixtures:

• The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations reached an all-time high in South Africa this year.
• The most searched fixture was Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates.
• Searches for Kaizer Chiefs FC rose by 60%, while Orlando Pirates FC doubled (+100%).

Top trending South Africa women’s national football team athletes (past 90 days vs prior 90 days):

1. Jermaine Seoposenwe (+2 180%)
2. Gabriela Salgado (+1 770%)
3. Linda Motlhalo (+411%)
4. Ronnel Donnelly (breakout)
5. Refiloe Jane (+120%)

Top trending athletes/sportspeople (past 6 months, SA and international):

1. Mike Kamogelo Sebelebele
2. Khamzat Chimaev
3. Hulk Hogan
4. Bryan Mbeumo
5. Jannik Sinner

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