The head of the SA Navy is called the Chief of the SA Navy. Below follows a list of all incumbents in that post and its predecessors:

SA Navy, SA National Defence Force (1994 – present)

Chief of the SA Navy

• V Adm Refiloe Johannes Mudimu March 1, 2005 – present

• V Adm Johan Frans Retief November 1, 2000 - February 28, 2005

• V Adm Robert Claude Simpson-Anderson April 27, 1994 – October 31, 2000

SA Navy, SA Defence Force (1957-1994)

• V Adm Robert Claude Simpson-Anderson September 1, 1992 – April 26, 1994

• V Adm Lambert J “Woody” Woodburne July 1, 1990 – August 31, 1992

• V Adm Glen Syndercombe July 1, 1985 – March 31, 1989

• V Adm Andries P “Dries” Putter October 1, 1982 – June 30, 1990 (two terms)

• V Adm Ronald A Edwards February 1, 1980 – September 30, 1982

• V Adm J Charl Walters October 1, 1977 – January 30, 1980

• V Adm James “Johnny” Johnson April 1, 1972 – September 30, 1977

• V Adm Hugo H Biermann July 1, 1966 – March 31, 1972

SA Navy Chief of Staff

• R Adm Hugo H Biermann May 1, 1955 – June 30, 1966

SA Naval Service & Seaward Defence Force, Union Defence Force (1912-1957)

SA Navy and Marine Chief of Staff

• Cmdre Hugo H Biermann December 1, 1952 – April 30, 1955

• Brigadier Pieter de Waal¹ July 1, 1951 – November 30, 1952

Director SA Naval Force

• Commodore Frederick J Deane December 1, 1946 – June 30, 1951

• Commodore James Dalgleish March 21, 1941 – November 30, 1946

Director Seaward Defence Force

• R Adm Guy W Hallifax September 16, 1939 – March 28, 1941

Director SA Naval Services

• vacant

• Commander RFUP Fitzgerald June 4, 1928 – November 4, 1932

• Commander Norman H Rankin April 1, 1922 – June 3, 1928