South Africa national rugby union team in defiance of the Gleneagles Agreement. South Africa lost the series 2–1. The tour and the massive civil disruption in New Zealand had ramifications far beyond rugby. In 1981, Errol Tobias became the first non-white South African to represent his country when he took the field against Ireland. South Africa sought to counteract its sporting isolation by inviting the South American Jaguars to tour. The team contained mainly Argentinian players. Eight matches were played between the two teams in the early 1980s—all awarded Test status. In 1984, England toured losing both test matches; of the players selected, only Ralph Knibbs
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