The first formal event was organised in 1903, following a series of exhibition matches that had been held over the preceding ten years. The championship was initially contested over just 36 holes until 1908, when it was extended to become a 72-hole tournament. Although non-whites had played in the South African Open before, most notably when
Papwa Sewgolum finished second in 1963, it was not until 1972 that black golfers were allowed to compete. From 2011 until February 2020 it was held in the
Johannesburg area; twice at
Serengeti Golf Club, followed by five times at
Glendower Golf Club, and then twice at
Randpark Golf Club. In December 2020 it will move away from Johannesburg and be held at
Gary Player Country Club in
Sun City.
Gary Player has been the most successful player in the tournament's history, with 13 victories over four decades between 1956 and 1981.
Bobby Locke won nine titles,
Sid Brews won eight titles, and
George Fotheringham won the event five times as did
Ernie Els. In December 2018, the event became part of the Open Qualifying Series, giving up to three non-exempt players entry into
The Open Championship. The 2021 event was scheduled to be a co-sanctioned event between the
European Tour and the
Sunshine Tour. However due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in place in the UK from South Africa, the event was revised as a sole-sanctioned Sunshine Tour event. ==Flagship event==