The history of soccer in South Africa is a long and winding one. It has been played in the country since the 19th century and has remained an important part of the South African culture ever since.
It is believed that British sailors brought the game to Cape Town in 1851, when they played a game on the beach with local sailors. Soccer soon started to spread from Cape Town, gaining more popularity in the major industrial centres such as Johannesburg and Durban. The first recorded match between two South African teams was held in Johannesburg in 1882, between Old Edwardians and British Lions.
By the early 1900s, soccer clubs were being established in South Africa’s major cities, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. In 1912, South Africa was represented at the football tournament of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, but unfortunately lost to Denmark in the semifinals.
In 1921, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was established as the governing body.