The Personal Sponsors Powering South Africa’s Sportswomen
Women’s sport sponsorship is on the rise. While massive corporate deals frequently grab the headlines, it is often the smaller, personal sponsorship deals that quietly power the careers of South Africa’s sportswomen.
We recently put a call out to our community, asking you to give a massive shout-out to the personal sponsors making a real, tangible difference in your sporting journeys. The responses were authentic and sincere, proving one undeniable truth: when you back a sportswoman, you change her trajectory forever.
A lack of funding remains one of the biggest hurdles for South African sportswomen. A Commission for Gender Equality report published in September 2026 found that women’s sport in South Africa has historically received less funding, media coverage and institutional support, with limited corporate sponsorship among the barriers. That makes individual corporate backing absolute gold. In their own words, here are the personal sponsors stepping up to fuel the dreams of our local stars.
BMW Bryanston: Driving Representation in Motorsport
Motorsport is notoriously expensive, making individual backing crucial. BMW Bryanston has stepped up as a vital personal sponsor for rising star Morgan Jacobs, fuelling her journey towards GT Racing. The partnership has already brought a milestone, with Jacobs moving up to Class C of the NA Cup in the BMW M Performance Parts Race Series, a step BMW Bryanston has celebrated as the next challenge in her development.
As Jacobs shares: “Helping me to achieve my dreams in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Chasing my dream of GT Racing together with the support and backing from BMW Bryanston”
32Gi: Fuelling World Championship Ambitions
Elite performance requires elite nutrition. 32Gi, a South African endurance sports nutrition brand and the official nutrition partner of the Comrades Marathon from 2026 to 2028, is making a massive impact as the supplement sponsor for Lindiwe Isabel Mchunu as she prepares to represent South Africa at the IFBB World Men’s and Women’s Championships in Santa Susanna, near Barcelona, from 29 October to 2 November 2026.
Mchunu, a sports scientist from Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, took up bodybuilding in 2020 and also competes in powerlifting. She finished second at the IFBB World Fitness Challenge Championships in Spain in 2025 and represents Body Culture Health and Wellness. Away from competition, she is a national-level assistant football referee and a cycling coach.
This is the first time she has had a supplement sponsor at an international championship, and she is clear about the bigger picture: South African athletes have the talent and skill, but too few sponsors. Thanks to 32Gi, she says, “I’m not doing this journey alone”.
PR Cricket SA and Solly M Sports: Building the Pipeline
We also heard from rising cricketer Jess Candler, who highlighted the life-changing impact of sponsors investing heavily in the grassroots pipeline to support upcoming talent. Candler gave a double shout-out to PR Cricket SA, a cricket equipment range, and Durban sports retailer Solly M Sports for their invaluable backing.
The Howick High School learner has already tasted senior provincial cricket, representing the KZN Inland women’s team, the Tuskers, at the CSA Provincial Women’s Competition in Oudtshoorn in 2024, where she scored a then personal-best 56 not out against Boland.
She was named Player of the Match at the CSA U19 Girls’ Cricket Week at Kearsney College for an unbeaten 66 against Border, was among the nominees for CSA Girls U19 Player of the Tournament, and Cricket South Africa has included her in its SA U19 Women’s national training camps.
As Candler shares: “I believe my sponsors should be in your next featured profile as they have made a genuine difference in mine and many other cricketers journeys! They support the growth and development of many young cricketers and allow athletes to pursue their goals and reach their full potential!”
“Their sponsorship has provided opportunities and support that is invaluable and many of my achievements wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”
KZN Inland cricketer, Jess Candler
A massive shout-out to these incredible brands who see the immense value in women’s sport and show sincere support. Remember the golden rule: when brands support women’s sport, we support them too!
Need Inspiration? Look to Kgothatso Montjane
If you are struggling to sign sponsors, take inspiration from Kgothatso Montjane. In 2018, the wheelchair tennis star was still chasing Grand Slam glory, and sponsors were reluctant to back her.
Working alongside Emy Casaletti-Bwalya, she rebuilt her brand around the #RoadToGreatness campaign, and the titles followed: four Grand Slam doubles crowns with Japan’s Yui Kamiji, at Roland Garros in 2023 and 2025, the US Open in 2023 and Wimbledon in 2024.
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Today Montjane is a four-time Grand Slam doubles champion whose brand attracts sponsors in its own right, with a maiden singles major firmly in her sights. Her journey proves that building a professional brand pays off. For the full blueprint, read Casaletti-Bwalya’s sponsorship masterclass from the gsport archive in this edition.
Connect, Grow and Get Sponsored!
- Share your story: If you have a personal sponsor who has changed your career, tell us about it! Let’s give them the public shout-out they deserve for advancing women’s sport.
- Join the community: Sign up for the gsport newsletter and follow us @gsport4girls across all social media platforms. Tag us in your training and match stories to gain more traction.
- Network with the best: Staying actively connected to gsport means you could be in the room for our upcoming events, where some of the industry’s best networking and sponsorship connections take place.
Main Photo Caption: Lindiwe Isabel Mchunu is one of the South African sportswomen whose careers are being powered by personal sponsors, with 32Gi, the South African endurance sports nutrition brand, backing her preparations as she readies herself to represent South Africa against the world’s best at the IFBB World Men’s and Women’s Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain, from 29 October to 2 November 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Morgan Jacobs has stepped up to Class C of the NA Cup in the BMW M Performance Parts Race Series, with BMW Bryanston firmly in her corner.
Photo 3 Caption: KZN Inland all-rounder Jess Candler credits PR Cricket SA and Solly M Sports with backing her rise through provincial and age-group cricket.
Photo 4 Caption: Four-time Grand Slam doubles champion Kgothatso Montjane proves that a professionally built personal brand attracts sponsors in its own right.
Crédito: Link de origem