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Last year was no vintage for South African sports stars in the big three sports of cricket, rugby and soccer, although the national women’s soccer team Banyana Banyana did themselves proud. Who shone in other sports, though? Here’s SouthAfrica.info writer Brad Morgan's best of 2003.

The year 2003 must go down as a disappointing one for South African cricket. The reason is simple: the Proteas failed to make the Super Sixes in the World Cup that was played on home soil early in the year. Brad Morgan takes a closer look at the year that was.

Much like 2002, 2003 will go down in the history books as a poor year for South African rugby. The Springboks failed to fire during the course of the season, and only in a 60-10 victory over Samoa during the World Cup did they look like a world-class outfit.

There was not too much to shout about for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national soccer team, in 2003, but the women's side, affectionately called Banyana Banyana, can look back on a job well done. So too can the Tsetse Flies - the national under-12 team.

South Africa's women's soccer team have come a long way since they first assembled in 1993. Banyana Banyana - "The Girls" - are now ranked second in Africa, pushed Nigeria to the brink at the 2003 All Africa Games, and came within one goal of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics.

Cape Town-based Roth Medical Components was named Africa's top small business at the first Africa SMME Awards function in Johannesburg.

South African advertising agencies shone at the 2003 Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, scooping a total of five gold, eight silver, five bronze and three media Lions. Check out the list of winners - and view the winning ads.

Gary Player, one of the greatest golfers of all time and one of only five professionals to have won golf's grand slam of all four major championships, was presented with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award at the fourth annual Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Monaco.

Sports scientist Tim Noakes has won the University of Cape Town Book Award for the fourth edition of Lore of Running, the best-selling guide that is widely regarded as the "Runners' Bible", covering everything from the latest in research to training schedules, nutrition, psychology and advice on injuries.