How to Get a South African IP Address in 2020: Change Like the Cape Weather

It can be annoying when you can’t access the content or online service you want because of geoblocks. If you’re a South African abroad and you’re trying to look at content restricted to your country, you’ll be left looking at an error message. You need to get a South African IP address to view it, so we’re going to show you how to get one.

It may just look like a bunch of random numbers, but your IP address has a lot of hidden information in it. When you go online, it tells the website or service where you are located. To view content that’s restricted to a certain country, you need to have an IP address that shows you are there.

Maybe you tried to check your funds online after a night out, but couldn’t log in. Some banks only let you log in if you’re in the country, so without a South African IP address, you’ll be denied access.

Perhaps you want to watch your favorite shows from the South African Broadcasting Corporation or access services such as e.tv, Soweto TV, DSTV and Showmax. Whichever you want, none are available outside of South Africa.

The reason for that is license restrictions. Networks have to obtain a licence in each country in which they want to broadcast a show. Netflix is a good example. Though it is available in many countries, each library is different because of licensing.

You can read more about that in our piece on the Netflix VPN ban. If you already know about it and just want to get in, have a look at our best VPN for Netflix for recommendations.

How To Get a South African IP Address

It’s up to you what method you use to get a South African IP address. You could use a proxy, which is the easiest route to take, but they can be unreliable (even our best free proxy). They also don’t include security, leaving you vulnerable to cybercrime, and you’re traceable because your IP address is not protected. Our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor explanation has more information.

Your best bet is to use a virtual private network because it will keep you anonymous and safe from online dangers. You can take a look at the providers in our best VPN reviews for some good options, but you need to make sure that the one you pick is good for South Africa.

You’ll need one that has servers there because you’ll be in the same position you are now without them. The more the provider has there, the better.

For access to Netflix, you will have to choose a provider that is able to get into it. Netflix has a complicated VPN detection system, and there are only a handful of VPNs that can bypass it. Read our piece on the Netflix proxy error for more.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a good option for getting a South African IP address. It has a network with thousands of servers, including 19 in South Africa. It has excellent security with double-hop encryption and there’s a strict no-logs policy, too. It has good speeds with unlimited bandwidth and can get you into streaming services easily.

NordVPN can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. The clients are simple to use and you can have up to six devices connected at the same time. Read our NordVPN review for more details on the service. You can try it to see if you like it, as well, because it has a 30-day refund period.

CyberGhost

Another decent provider is CyberGhost which has a large server network and has 10 servers in South Africa. Its security is tight and it doesn’t keep a log of your activity. Speeds are good and there are no bandwidth caps. You’ll be able to get into Netflix and other streaming services, too.

CyberGhost is compatible with most major operating systems and it’s one of our best VPN for multiple devices because it will allow you to connect up to seven devices in one go. You can take advantage of the seven-day trial to make sure you like it. Plus, there’s a money-back guarantee. Check out our CyberGhost review for a better look at the service.

Astrill

We also recommend Astrill for getting a South African IP address. It has a small server network compared to the other two providers, but there are servers in Johannesburg. You’ll be safe because it has decent security with multiple protocols to choose from, including two that are exclusive to the VPN.

It’s able to get you into streaming services and has fast speeds with unlimited bandwidth. You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and it will allow you to connect as many as five devices simultaneously. There’s a seven-day trial available, so you can see if you like it before signing up. Read of our Astrill review to find out more.

Dangers of Using a South African IP Address

It’s not dangerous to use a South African IP address, but you should be mindful of the risks. Though there are countries that value privacy, as you can read in our privacy laws piece, others don’t and there can be invasive surveillance and laws.

There were revelations in 2017 that the South African government was tracking thousands of mobile phones. A loophole in the country’s surveillance laws allowed it to happen.

Plus, free WiFi hotspots are available all over the country, but it’s impossible to know how secure they are. Without proper protection, you can be vulnerable to hacking and viruses. A 12-month study showed that almost 9 million South Africans had been victims of cybercrime, which is a good reason to get an antivirus, as well.

Read our best VPN for South Africa article for more on the country.

Final Thoughts

We hope you now know how to get a South African IP address and why you need protection, no matter where you are. A VPN is the best option to get both, as well as many other features.

Any of the above providers will get you what you need, but NordVPN is the best choice. With its top-notch security and ability to get into streaming services, it should have all the features you need to safely get the content you want. Plus, with it’s 30-day refund period, there’s no reason not to try it.

If you have recommendations for getting a South African IP address, let us know in the comments section below. We’d like to hear them. Thank you for reading.