Monty: the most capped Springbok

South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, whose left leg was amputated below the knee in 2001, has gone on to break numerous world records for athletes with disability. Her greatest achievement, however, has been bridging the gap between able-bodied and disabled athletes. In Beijing this month, she will become the first amputee to compete in the Olympic Games.

Basil D'Oliveira never played for South Africa, yet was nominated one of the country's cricketers of the 20th century. While it was England that benefited from D'Oliveira's prowess with bat and ball, it was, ultimately, South Africa that was rewarded most by his actions on and off the field.

He was the shortest ever boxing world champion, and the only South African to win four world titles. But it was "Baby Jake" Matlala's heart that captured the imagination of the South African public.

When South African rugby fans named Frik du Preez the country's rugby player of the twentieth century, it was a vote not only for his prodigious performances on the field, but also for his charisma and influence on those around him.

Penny Heyns, who set 14 world records and became the first woman to complete the Olympic double of winning both the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke, is arguably the greatest female breaststroke swimmer of all time.

A left-handed batsman who struck the ball with immaculate timing, making the game look at once simple and stunning, Graeme Pollock was arguably the greatest left-hander in cricket history, with a test average second only to Sir Donald Bradman.