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Cape Town - Sport related tweets topped South Africa's most popular Twitter topics for 2014 as the Soccer World Cup and the Springbok team's rugby performances took centre stage.
The World Cup dominated the Twitter statistics for the year with the game between Brazil and Germany drawing the most action as the host nation was bundled out of a tournament that they were widely expected to win.
Twitter users in SA were also excited by the rugby match against Wales.
"As rugby is considered one of the most popular sports in South Africa it should come as no surprise that the South Africa Vs Wales rugby match #SSRugby rugby game caused the second biggest spike on Twitter in South Africa in 2014," Twitter said.
Beyond sports, Oscar Pistorius generated hype on Twitter as South Africans followed all aspects of the trial where he was ultimately found not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on 14 February 2013.
Popular global tweets
In particular, the trial was marked by sharp cross-examination by both defence advocate Barry Roux and state prosecutor Gerrie Nel.
Twitter also revealed the popular global tweets of the year, including this one from Ellen Degeneres at the Oscars that was retweeted over three million times.
If only Bradley's arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars pic.twitter.com/C9U5NOtGap
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 3, 2014Other celebrities that saw Twitter success in 2014 included Justin Bieber and Niall Horan with 471 000 and 366 943 retweets respectively.
YOU ARE ALL WORTHY NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS >> BE STRONG GOD IS WITH US ALL> MY BELIEBERS CHANGED MY LIFE> I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) January 24, 2014Thank you lads ,we've had a great time so far, you are family to me now , not just band mates ! Love you pic.twitter.com/IdUHD3vFnf
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) July 23, 2014Twitter also revealed the top South Africans being followed on the platform:
| Name | Twitter Handle | Number of followers |
| Caspar Lee | @Caspar_Lee | 2 128 810 |
| Kevin Pietersen | @KP24 | 2 046 551 |
| Trevor Noah | @Trevornoah | 1 725 515 |
| AB Devilliers | @ABdeVilliers | 1 502 313 |
| Dale Steyn | @DaleSteyn62 | 1 155 599 |
| Nelson Mandela | @NelsonMandela | 1 009 465 |
| Bonang B Matheba | @bonang_m | 888 466 |
| Candice Swanepol | @angelcandice | 872 395 |
| Graeme Smith | @GraemeSmith | 735 660 |
| Gareth Cliff | @GarethCliff | 530 924 |
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