I also had the same anxiety when I applied. I have shared the official requirements checklist below to help everyone out (Copy-Pasted):
Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs
Valid passport which expires in no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended date of departure from the Republic
The application is being submitted in person, no less than 60 days prior to the expiry date of the applicant’s visa and if the visa was issued for less than 30 days, not later than seven working days before the expiry of the visa.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic area: (Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area)
Police clearance certificate issued by the police or security authority in each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer after attaining the age of 18 years, in respect of criminal records or the character of that applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission: (Provided that the certificate shall not be required from a foreign country in the case of renewal or extension of a visa but from the Republic)
A medical report not older than 6 months..
A radiological report. Provided that a radiological report shall not be required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or pregnant women;
Marriage certificate or in the case of a foreign spousal relationship, proof of official recognition thereof issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the applicant (where applicable).
The affidavit where a spousal relationship to a South African citizen or resident is applicable, as well as documentation proving cohabitation and the extent to which the related financial responsibilities are shared by the parties and setting out the particulars of children in the spousal relationship.
Divorce decree, where applicable.
Court order granting full or specific parental responsibilities and rights, where applicable.
Death certificate, in respect of late spouse, where applicable.
Written consent from both parents and full parental responsibilities, where applicable.
Proof of adoption where applicable.
Legal separation order, where applicable.
Proof of kinship, within the second step, between the applicant and the citizen or permanent resident in the form of
a)An unabridged birth certificate; and
b) Where necessary, paternity test results.
The financial assurance contemplated in section 18(1) of the Act shall be an amount, per person per month, as determined from time to time by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, to be proven by means of a current salary advice or a certified bank statement not older than three months at the time of application. (Provided that the financial assurance shall not be required where the South African citizen or permanent resident is a dependent child). (this was R8500 when I applied)
Proof of payment of the applicable fee
Notes:
Both partners to a homosexual or heterosexual relationship must be interviewed separately, on the same date and time, to determine the authenticity of the existence of their relationship. (this is directly from the checklist but I was personally never interviewed)
A relative's visa may be issued for a maximum period of two years at a time
The holder of a relative’s visa may not conduct work. (I had to lodge an application for the Visitor's 11 (6) extension at a later stage to be able to work - same requirements as listed here plus the job offer)
An applicant for a visa in terms of the Act who asserts in his or her application to be a spouse, as defined in section 1 of the Act and has been issued with a visa must, after a period of two years from the date of issuing of that visa, inform the Director-General whether or not the spousal relationship still exists by submitting to the Director-General an affidavit on Part B of Form 12
An applicant contemplated in Immigration Regulation 3(1) who has been granted a visa or permanent residence permit on the basis of the relationship must immediately inform the Director-
General when his or her relationship ceases to exist.
The Director-General may, upon receipt of the information contemplated in Immigration 3(5), withdraw the visa or permanent residence permit issued on the basis of the existence of a permanent homosexual or heterosexual relationship.
Whenever it appears to the Director-General that a visa or permanent residence permit was acquired through error, misrepresentation or fraud, he or she shall withdraw the visa or permanent residence permit and, where applicable, cause criminal charges to be laid against all parties implicated in the misrepresentation or fraud.