A common perception, based on the high number of aircraft losses during the South African Border War, is that SAAF pilots were unprofessional or that "arrogance, youth and lack of experience" led to a high non-combat accident rate. This article analyses that claim by comparing the SAAF's record, aircraft by aircraft, with those of other professional air forces.
This is the central point, logical, but also where the comparison with other air forces is most important.
The perception of "arrogance" in fighter pilots is common, but it's often a misinterpretation of necessary, selected-for traits. A former F-14 pilot noted that while her ready room had "more ego and more confidence than an NFL locker room," she knew "few carrier aviators who were outright arrogant."
[Source 1: Pilot Testimonial/Aviation Culture Analysis - e.g., "Fighter Pilot Stereotypes Debunked"]
Here's the distinction:
https://youtu.be/YP-c6sH4oU0?si=gID5UeppJQF4CwGb
If this hazardous "Macho" attitude really drove the SAAF's non-combat losses, their accident rate would have been worse than that of professional, peacetime air forces. The data shows the opposite.
The high non-combat losses were not the result of inexperienced pilots joyriding. The Buccaneer, which had the most frightening accident rate, directly disproves this. It was an end-of-the-line posting, flown only by senior, mature, and highly experienced fast-jet pilots. The losses were due to the mission’s extreme difficulty, not "youth." [Source 3: SAAF Buccaneer Operational Histories - e.g., "Vlamgat: The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force" by Dick Lord, or "Mirages & Miracles" by Peter J. H. Maas, detailing pilot career progression]