In this study the numerical short wave model SWAN is evaluated for application to a selected coastal region in South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of accuracy with which SWAN can simulate prototype nearshore wave spectra and wave parameters (e.g. wave height, mean wave direction and mean wave period) for an Algoa Bay field case. Algoa Bay represents a typical deep, sheltered embayment on the South African south coast, which is exposed to high-energy swell. Sensitivity analyses on various wave-related processes were also done, with the aim of establishing the dominant physical processes and appropriate model setup for the Algoa Bay field case. With the dominant wave-related processes and appropriate model setup for the Algoa Bay field case established, selected final runs were performed to determine the degree of accuracy with which SWAN can simulate prototype conditions, by comparing its results with available field recordings. This study comprises a review of the SWAN evaluation work conducted to date by others, an overview of South African coastal conditions, and numerical model simulations. The model simulations, which represent the main focus of this study, were conducted for a selection of available offshore wave conditions (at 85 m water depth) observed during the Algoa Bay field case and were compared to available nearshore observations (at 17 m water depth). Environmental conditions of waves, wind and current were included in these simulations. The study focuses on model application and sensitivity analysis, rather than model development, and includes evaluation of all relevant processes, without focusing on any specific model aspect. The results of this study show that SWAN simulations correlated well with observations at the nearshore station in Algoa Bay, both in wave spectral shape and its associated parameters. Dominant processes identified for the field case were depth-induced refraction, bottom friction and directional spreading. This finding agrees with those of previous evaluations of SWAN and previous modeling experience by others. It is shown that high-energy swell is relatively more sensitive to the choices of model setup than Wind Sea. Based on the simulation results of high-energy swell, it is concluded that the calculation of depth-induced refraction in SWAN seem to contain a degree of inaccuracy. It is also concluded that the findings of this study could be used as a guideline to SWAN modeling studies along the South African south coast.