South Africa–United Kingdom relations

The Republic of South Africa and the United Kingdom have maintained historical and current relationships. The UK governed South Africa from 1806 until 1931, when South Africa gained full independence.

Ties between South Africa and the UK include a shared language (English) and cultural links, similar systems of law and finance, and a shared passion for the same sports as well as a common interest in promoting trade and a rules-based international system. There are also large numbers of South Africans living in the UK as there are a large numbers of British citizens and people of British descent living in South Africa. A sizeable minority of South Africans are of British ancestry due to it being a colony of the British Empire. As of 2011, there were some 1.6 million South Africans of British ancestry. It is estimated that as of 2010 around 227,000 South Africans resided in the United Kingdom.

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the G20, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership, and a Double Taxation Convention.