Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have been revealed as the three most-searched sports teams in South Africa over the past 12 months, according to new Google data.

The latest search trends highlight just how central sport is to South African life. The country ranks second in the world for sports-related searches over the past year, behind only Nigeria, while also placing 13th globally for football interest.

Within South Africa, though, football’s traditional giants continue to dominate the digital conversation. Orlando Pirates were the No 1 most-searched football club, with Kaizer Chiefs in second place and Mamelodi Sundowns third, edging out European heavyweights Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the process.

Unsurprisingly, the Soweto derby between Pirates and Chiefs was the single most searched sporting fixture in South Africa, with online interest surging by an incredible 390% year on year.

The numbers also reveal a growing appetite for women’s football. Searches around the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations jumped by 2,190%, while Banyana Banyana stars Jermaine Seoposenwe (+2,180%), Gabriela Salgado (+1,770%) and Refiloe Jane (+120%) were among the fastest-rising sports personalities locally.

Kabelo Makwane, Google South Africa’s country director, said the data proves how technology is changing the fan experience: “AI Mode is making Search radically more helpful by combining personalisation with real-time capabilities.

For sports fans in South Africa and around the world, it means you can follow your teams and tournaments more closely, while also discovering new ways to connect with the wider sporting community.”

Most searched sports, past 12 months:
1. Soccer
2. Rugby
3. Cricket
4. Formula 1
5. Golf

Most searched sports teams, past 12 months:
1. Orlando Pirates.
2. Kaizer Chiefs
3. Mamelodi Sundowns
4. Manchester United
5. Real Madrid
6. Manchester City
7. Liverpool
8. Arsenal
9. Chelsea
10. Springboks (rugby)
11. FC Barcelona
12. Proteas (cricket)

Key moments & fixtures:
– The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations reached an all-time high in South Africa this year.
– The most searched fixture was Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, with search interest surging by -390%.
– Searches for Kaizer Chiefs rose by 60%, while Orlando Pirates doubled (+100%).

Top trending athletes/sportspeople (past 6 months, SA & international):
1. Mike Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
2. Khamzat Chimaev (UFC)
3. Hulk Hogan (Wrestling)
4. Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
5. Jannik Sinner (Tennis)

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images