The regiment was formed in Ermelo, Mpumalanga on 1 April 1934, as part of an expansion of the Army's infantry branch.

[1] The first battalion did not serve in the war, but the second fought in the North Africa campaign in 1941 and 1942 as part of the 1st Infantry Division.

SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles.

Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain.

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.