Travel tips--Visa requirements

To apply for a visa you'll be required to furnish particular documentation to meet South Africa's visa requirements. These include:

1. A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit, and at least 1 unused page for entry/departure endorsements (sometimes referred to as the visa page).
2. Payment of the prescribed fee, if applicable.
3. A vaccination certificate, if required (travel through the yellow fever belts of Africa and South America requires inoculation)
4. Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit.
5. Two identity photographs (guidelines on website).
6. Proof of financial means in the form of bank statements; salary advices; undertakings by your hosts in South Africa; bursaries; medical cover; or cash available, including credit cards or travellers' cheques.
7. If travelling by air, a return or onward ticket; or proof of sufficient funds; or a cash deposit of equivalent value to an air ticket must be lodged.

Take care to request the correct duration of stay and type of visa.  Also check on processing time so that there is no last-minute panic.

reference: http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/travel-tips-detail?oid=13874&sn=Detail&pid=156