Bowmans stands out for its strong offering across the full range of competition law matters. The group regularly acts as counsel to a solid client base of blue-chip companies on a wide range of complex competition issues, and continues to advise on multi-jurisdictional merger matters, high-profile market inquiries, and abuse of dominance claims. Practice co-head Derek Lötter is ‘very commercial and very experienced‘, and practice co-head Tamara Dini fields expertise in cross-border transactions and merger control issues. Heather Irvine has solid expertise in acting for clients in the financial services and manufacturing sectors. Xolani Nyali is well versed in handling pan-African merger transactions.

At ENSafrica, the team has an excellent track record in advising on the full range of contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. Practice head Jocelyn Katz regularly acts for clients in the retail, mining, healthcare, telecoms, financial services, and insurance sectors, while Justin Balkin‘s workload includes merger control matters and cartel investigations. Lizél Blignaut specialises in advising on competition economics, Aidan Scallan brings experience in handling abuse of dominance claims, horizontal prohibited practices proceedings, and multi-jurisdictional merger notifications. Nicholas Petzwinkler joined the team in February 2024.

Led by Mark Garden, Webber Wentzel‘s ‘agile‘ team handles cross-border transactions, multi-jurisdictional merger applications, abuse of dominance claims, and investigations brought by the Competition Commission. Robert Wilson‘s workload includes merger control mandates involving public interest considerations, while Shawn Van Der Meulen has established strength in advising on prohibited practices cases. Daryl Dingley is a highly regarded competition law practitioner, with an excellent track record in assisting with the full range of competition law issues, and Martin Versfeld is well versed in advising on high-profile, pan-African competition cases. Burton Phillips and Clare-Alice Vertue are other key contacts. Gina Lodolo joined the team in March 2024.

At Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, the ‘exceptional‘ competition team continues to handle a steady workflow of market inquiries across a wide range of sectors, as well as assisting with the competition law aspects of high-value M&A deals. Practice head Chris Charter is well versed in representing clients in the banking, retail, financial services, telecoms, and construction sectors, while the ‘exceptional‘ Susan Meyer regularly advises healthcare entities on a broad range of competition law issues, including merger notifications and exemption applications. Albert Aukema fields expertise in all areas of competition law, while competition litigation forms a key pillar of Mmakgabo Mogapi‘s practice.

Jean Meijer heads up the competition, regulation, and trade practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, which is well known for providing ‘concise, useful and practical advice‘ to prominent domestic and international clients on high-profile market inquiries, cartel investigations, merger control issues, and regulatory and compliance matters. Nick Altini has a solid track record in handling abuse of dominance claims and discriminatory and predatory pricing matters, while Stewart Payne assists with merger control and exemption applications. Nyiko Mathebula joined the group in December 2023.

Werksmans Attorneys‘ ‘phenomenal‘ team stands out for its expertise in handling complex merger transactions, and is equally strong in advising on abuse of dominance claims, cartel-related matters, and market inquiries. Paul Coetser, who heads up the practice, is a key name for competition litigation, and regularly acts for clients in the telecoms, e-commerce, financial services, and IT sectors. Ahmore Burger-Smidt is well versed in advising on merger approvals and regulatory issues in the telecoms arena, and Rudolph Raath is highly regarded for his extensive experience in handling cartel cases. Nkonzo Hlatshwayo advises on the competition law aspects of cross-border merger transactions. Nyiko Mathebula left the firm in December 2023.

The competition practice at Fasken has a solid track record in advising on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work, and continues to handle a steady stream of market inquiries for multinational entities. Lesley Morphet, who leads the team, is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, and is sought after for her strength in advising on cartel investigations, complex merger filings, merger notifications, and compliance issues. Competition litigation is a key strength for Veronica Cadman, while Palesa Mpe continues to act for clients in the pharmaceutical, transport, financial services, technology, and logistics sectors, often in multi-jurisdictional mergers.

Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc’s offering in competition law includes advising on compliance and risk mitigation issues, multi-jurisdictional merger notifications, and abuse of dominance claims. Practice head Marianne Wagener has established expertise in competition law, and often acts for clients in the energy, healthcare, agriculture, and construction sectors. Contentious merger notifications are a key area of instruction for Mark Griffiths, and Rosalind Lake is sought after for her experience in handling regulatory matters. Candice Upfold and James Donald left the firm in December 2023.

Led by firm managing partner Lerisha Naidu, the competition team at Baker McKenzie Johannesburg handles high-profile merger control mandates, cartel conduct matters, and the competition law aspects of high-value transactions. The group often acts for clients in the financial services, oil and gas, private equity and consumer goods sectors. Newly promoted partner Angelo Tzarevski is well versed in advising on abuse of dominance allegations and compliance issues. Sphesihle Nxumalo brings expertise in merger transactions.

Pan-African competition law boutique Primerio International houses a team with established strength in advising on abuse of dominance claims, cartel investigations, and cross-border merger applications and filings. John Oxenham and Michael-James Currie jointly head up the practice. Stephany Torres is sought after for her expertise in handling competition litigation and merger control mandates, and Joshua Eveleigh has a solid track record in advising on merger notifications and compliance issues. In early 2024, Gina Lodolo and Nicholas Petzwinkler left the firm.