South Australian sport stars who shine on Instagram

They’re champions of their chosen field – but which South Australian sport stars are winning on Instagram? See our top 20.

Thanasi Kokkinakis in action during the 2022 Australian Open. Picture: Mark Peterson/TENNIS AUSTRALIA

They are champions of their chosen sports – training hard and travelling the world competing for glory.

But there are some South Australian sportspeople who are also winning on the social media platform Instagram, amassing tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of followers.

We’re already highlighted the state’s most Instagrammable footballers and now, we’re counting down SA’s top 20 Insta stars across all codes.

20. Cayla George

Basketball

Handle: @cfrannykg

Followers: 20.5k

Born in Mount Barker, George is now an Olympic Opal and WNBL Champion with the Melbourne Boomers and will be a key part of the Opals push in the upcoming FIBA World Championships in Sydney. Her Instagram account details not only her love of hoops, but also gives her a chance to showcase her athletic fashions and travel photos.

19. Todd Hazelwood

Supercars driver

Handle: @toddhazelwood

Followers: 22k

For the 26-year-old Matt Stone Racing driver, his Instagram account is a celebration of all things car racing. Having competed in the Darwin Supercars event last week, he lamented to his followers about what he called “one of the worst weekends ever: “Don’t think Darwin likes me … Far out, what a horrible day. Got smacked left, right and centre in both races today suffering damage and going laps down in both races with heavy repairs … I’ve moved on”.

18. Riley McGree

Soccer player

Handle: @rileymcgree

Followers: 24.7k

The Gawler-raised attacking midfielder is a star on the rise, having made his Socceroos debut in June last year, and scoring his first international goal against Vietnam in a World Cup qualifier in January this year. The 23-year-old has signed an undisclosed three-and-a-half year contract to play for English Football League heavyweight Middlesborough. His Instagram account not only promotes his soccer, but his life away from the football pitch, too.

17. Maddy Proud

Netballer

Handle: @maddyproud

Followers: 24.9k

The former Thunderbird-turned Sydney Swifts co-captain is a popular athlete not only for her on-court heroics, but as the author of the Grace on Court children’s books. The 28-year-old’s Instagram account is heavily netball-related. “A year full of learnings. Not the way we wanted to end season 2022 but it’s always an honour to wear the red (or blue or yellow) dress,” she captioned a photo of her on-court earlier this week, after the Swifts narrowly missed out on making Super Netball finals.

16. Amanda-Jade Wellington

Cricketer

Handle: @ajwellington

Followers: 29.6k

One of the more quirky characters in cricket, “Wello” uses her Instagram to not only post photos of her signature leg spin (she’s recently been selected in the Australian squad that’s off to the Commonwealth Games), but also gives followers glimpses into her Pokemon collection, her wide array of pets and the progress of her tattoos. She is currently having one leg tattooed with incredibly detailed cartoon-style characters.

15. Jess Stenson

Marathon runner

Handle: @jess_tren

Followers: 29.6k

The Olympic long-distance runner took to Instagram earlier this month to celebrate a new personal best she set in Tasmania’s Launceston Running Festival captioning a photo of her crossing the line with: “It’s been a fun weekend catching up with runners from all over AUS and it feels extra special to come away with a new 10km PB of 31:50”. Stenson also posts adorable family photos too.

14. Awer Mabil

Soccer player

Handle: @awermabil10

Followers: 30.2k

The Socceroo, who grew up in Adelaide after being born in a Kenyan refugee camp, made headlines recently after scoring a crucial goal in a penalty shootout against Peru that secured Australia its fifth-straight World Cup appearance. The 26-year-old reflecting on his Instagram: “The work behind this moment not many would understand, but aye mama we’re going to the World Cup.”

13. Jamie Kah

Jockey

Handle: @jamieleekah07

Followers: 30.6k

Raised in the Adelaide Hills, Kah has risen to become one of the country’s top jockeys, last racing season (2020-21) becoming the first jockey to ride 100 winners in a Melbourne metropolitan racing season. The 26-year-old uses her Instagram platform to not only post images of her riding the winners, but also her travels. On a winter break, she has been holidaying in Europe and recently posted a photo of herself at Royal Ascot.

12. Nick Percat

Supercars driver

Handle: @nickpercat

Followers: 31.8k

The Walkinshaw Andretti United posts photos about more than just the No. 2 Holden ZB Commodore he drives (although there are a lot posts from the track). Percat, who grew up in Adelaide but now lives in Melbourne, recently posted a photo of himself enjoying the Monaco Grand Prix.

11. Madi Wilson

Swimmer

Handle: @madiwilson

Followers: 42.3k

The SA-based freestyler is part of the mighty Marion Swimming Club alongside Kyle Chalmers and coach Peter Bishop. Wilson’s Instagram feed gives great insights into the Olympic gold medallist’s life, including training, as she prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

10. Megan Schutt

Cricketer

Handle: @megan_schutt3

Followers: 56.5k

The world’s No. 4 ranked women’s one-day bowler is not only bowling over the stumps of some of the world’s best batters, but she’s bowled over her followers with her Instagram feed that not only features photos from the cricket pitch but gives a sweet insight into her life as a new mum. Schutt welcomed baby Rylee, with wife Jess last year, and her feed is filled with loving – and often funny – words dedicated to her family.

9. Ellie Turner

CrossFit athlete

Handle: @elliebecturner

Followers: 57k

The 24-year-old Moonta-born athlete first started in CrossFit in 2017 and has worked her way into the pinnacle of the sport – the CrossFit Games. In 2022, she is now Australia’s No. 2 ranked CrossFit woman having finished third in the Torian Pro competition. Currently based in the United States, her Instagram feed is pure fitness inspiration.

8. Emily Seebohm

Swimmer

Handle: @emcbomb

Followers: 83.8k

The four-time Olympian has an enviable Insta feed, showcasing her travels around the world, including recently from the warm coasts of Hawaii. She also shares some spectacular videos of herself diving into pool water. Seebohm was a guest at the 2022 Logie Awards on the Gold Coast and she shared a series of Logies-ready pics from pool side.

7. Kyle Chalmers

Swimmer

Handle: @kyle_chalmers3

Followers: 102k

The Olympic gold medallist is prolific on Instagram – you can expect almost daily updates and stories from the swim star whether it from the pool, from the gym, or of his beloved friends, family and reptiles. Currently racing in the swimming World Championships in Budapest, Chalmers has posted at length about his rediscovering his love of the sport.

6. Rohan Dennis

Cyclist

Handle: @rohandennis

Followers: 117k

The 32-year-old road racing cyclist and three-time Olympian regularly posts on his Instagram. Earlier this week, Dennis used his account to announce he had tested positive for Covid and was forced to end his Tour de Swisse early. He later captioned a photo of him watching television with his feet up: “Not gonna let Covid stop me from bossing life … pfffftt #couldbeworse”.

5. Travis Head

Cricketer

Handle: @travishead34

Followers: 119k

The left-handed batsman uses his social media account to post about life off the pitch more than on it. You’ll find gorgeous snaps of holidays in exotic places, as much as cricket. Three weeks ago, Head used his Instagram account to announce to his followers that he and his partner were expecting a baby girl.

4. Alex Carey

Cricketer

Handle: @alexcarey_5

Followers: 127k

The Loxton-born footballer, turned Australian wicketkeeper, uses his Instagram account to showcase highlights from his time behind the stumps. Most recently, he posted a series of photos from Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan, writing: “Thanks for having us Pakistan”. You’ll also find some precious family photos on his account, too.

3. Joe Ingles

Basketballer

Handle: @joeingles7

Followers: 234k

It’s not just photos of basketball that the 203cm Portland Trail Blazers baller posts on his social media – it’s his family life with wife Renae and their three children. Recently, the Happy Valley-born athlete has also posted videos and photos documenting his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

2. Thanasi Kokkinakis

Tennis player

Handle: @the_kokk1

Followers: 257k

One half of this year’s Australian Open doubles championship-winning team, with the entertaining Nick Kyrgios, the 26-year-old South Australian has re-established himself on court in 2022 after a horror run with injury. He treats his followers with glimpses into life on the road as he chases tennis glory across the globe.

1. Adam Scott

Golfer

Handle: @adamscottofficial

Followers: 295k

The world’s former No. 1 golfer – born in Adelaide in 1980 – has built an impressive following on the social media platform and takes out our No. 1 spot.

Scott, who is expected to play his 85th consecutive major at the British Open in July, is a regular on the ‘Gram, posting action shots and video of his efforts on the course, along with practice notes, giveaways and flat-lays of the Uniqlo outfits he wears in tournaments.