Central African Games year's highlight for many of the athletes as many African countries boycotted the Olympics in protest of New Zealand's sporting links with Apartheid-era South Africa. Events at the final edition of the Games in 1987 acted as qualifiers for the 1987 All-Africa Games in some cases. Central African Games The Central African Games was an international multi-sport event for countries within Central Africa. It was held on three occasions: in 1976 in Libreville, Gabon, in 1981 in Luanda, Angola, and finally in 1987 in Brazzaville, People's Republic of the Congo. A "Central African Cup" competition had been organised in Brazzaville
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