1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand and the United States the choice of either fielding a team not selected by race, or not touring South Africa: South African rugby authorities continued to select Springbok players by race. As a result, the Norman Kirk Labour Government prevented the Springboks from touring during 1973. In response, the NZRFU protested about the involvement of "politics in sport". In 1976, the All Blacks toured South Africa with the blessing of the newly elected New Zealand Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon. Twenty-five African nations protested against this by boycotting the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. In their view the All Black tour gave tacit support to
South Africa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games top nine ranked nations from the Commonwealth in the 2016–17 World Rugby Sevens Series ranking. South Africa also qualified a women's team of 12. This qualification came after the South African women's team won the African Cup in 2017. The gold and silver medalist of Africa would then automatically qualify for the 2018 games. The silver medalists were Kenya. South Africa participated with 4 athletes (4 men). A total of 25 South African Swimmers has qualified for the games. This includes 2 para-swimmers. <nowiki>*</nowiki> Competed in heats only. South Africa participated with 1 athlete (1 man). South Africa participated with