[1] The military Order of the Star of South Africa, established in 1975 and conferred on general and flag officers in two classes, was named after the first large diamond to be found in South Africa, the Star of South Africa that was found on the banks of the Orange River in 1869 and that sparked the New Rush, leading to the establishment of Kimberley.

[3] The Star of South Africa, Grand Officer, post-nominal letters SSAS, is the second most senior decoration of these five civil honours.

[1] Recipients also wear a silver breast star, depicted in the main picture, with eight multi-rayed points that displays the obverse of the decoration in its centre.

The reverse of the breast star has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms in the centre, with the silver hallmark below it.

[1] Conferment of the decoration was discontinued on 6 December 2002 when a new set of national orders was instituted.