South Africa at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The Union of South Africa competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. 50 competitors, 44 men and 6 women, took part in 50 events in 10 sports.Medalists
Bronze
Men's 110m Hurdles
Men's Marathon
Men's Discus Throw
Cycling
;Sprint
- Thomas Shardelow — 8th place
;Time trial
;Tandem
Thomas Shardelow — 7th place
;Team pursuit
Anne Jan Hettema
Charles Jonker
Robert Fowler — 4:39.4
;Individual road race
- Alfred Swift — did not finish
- Robert Fowler — did not finish
- Anne Jan Hettema — did not finish
- Charles Jonker — did not finish
Gymnastics
Modern pentathlon
Three male pentathletes represented South Africa in 1956.
;Individual
;Team
Shooting
Two shooters represented South Africa in 1956.
;50 m rifle, three positions
;50 m rifle, prone
Weightlifting
Wrestling