Worst outcome for South Africa

The Argentine troops sent to the Malvinas were hastily-assembled conscripts. Their best troops were on the Chilean border. They would have given Britain a much tougher run.
 
Worst case for South Africa? Have a meaner ANC engaging a meaner government with a cycle of escalating retaliation. Have this somehow lead to a genocidal regime that manages to cling to power against all foreign intervention and domestic upheaval, at least for enough time for damage to be done. (That's a bit tricky).

Top it off with a successful Cuban-led invasion that leads to a NATO takeover and occupation of the other half, with endemic violence from all the South African factions.

For extra credit, start global thermonuclear warfare.
 

Tovarich

Banned
Would the UK have enough sea lift capability to invade SA on their own?

I doubt it, though it'd be pretty difficult politically for the US to stay out of things once started - what with SA enjoying 'World's Most Evil Country' status in the minds of the US public, the demand for the US to charge to the rescue would've been pretty much irresistable.
US forces would've enjoyed a less suspicious welcome from the black-African population too, whereas there'd have been at least some suspiscion that the UK would be there to screw them over again!
 
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