Craig Ray

Craig Ray is one of South Africa’s most seasoned and respected sports journalists, with a career spanning more than 28 years. He has worked with prestigious outlets including Reuters, BBC World Service and Daily Maverick, and holds a postgraduate BA honours degree. His reporting has taken him across the globe, covering more than 200 Springbok Tests, including four World Cups. He is the author of In Black and White: The Jake White Story, the bestselling sports book in South African history, with 220,000 copies sold, and winner of the 2008 Booksellers’ Choice Award.

Craig is a leading voice on:

• South African rugby and sports history
; The politics and business of sport; Investigative sports journalism; Long-form sports storytelling; and
• The evolving landscape of sports media, including podcasting.

His in-depth analysis and colourful reporting have made him a trusted source for both casual fans and industry insiders.

Craig‘s journalism has shaped national conversations around sports leadership, ethics and transformation. His investigative piece, “The State of Cricket Capture”, earned international recognition, ranking him in the top 10 globally for sports colour writing by AIPS in 2019. His sports podcast with Daily Maverick reached No 1 on Apple Podcasts South Africa, demonstrating his influence in digital media as well.

Craig speaks in a casual, engaging and informative tone. Audiences can expect a rich blend of humour, insight and insider anecdotes from decades on the sports beat. Whether he’s unpacking the nuance of rugby strategy or telling behind-the-scenes stories from iconic matches, he brings depth and personality to every stage.