The species belonging to the family Mactridae living in South African waters are revised. After a bibliographical research, almost forty nominal species were found related to this area. The type material of all taxa was requested, examined and illustrated whenever possible. Additional comparative specimens from Natal Museum were studied. Details of type localities, repositories, and updated distribution were provided. This work revealed the presence of nine species belonging to the family Mactridae living in South African waters: Mactra aequisulcata G. B. Sowerby III, 1894, Mactra lilaceaLamarck, 1818, Simomactra capensis (G. B. Sowerby III, 1892), Scissodesma spengleri (Linnaeus, 1767), Standella ovalina (Lamarck, 1818), Lutraria (Lutraria) capensisReeve, 1854, Lutraria (Lutraria) steynlussii Huber, 2010, Lutraria (Psammophila) inhacaensisBoshoff, 1965, and Eastonia solanderi (Gray, 1837). However, their generic placement in some cases must be confirmed. Genetic data will clarify if two new generic names for Mactra aequisulcata and Simomactra capensis, respectively, are required.