ATHLETES TO WATCH IN 2026
Swimming
Kris Mihaylov and Lara van Niekerk
Better known for swimming the longer freestyle distances, Kris Mihaylov burst onto the international scene by taking gold in the 200m butterfly at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships last year. With that kind of versatility and a move to train in the USA on the cards, the 18-year-old Mihaylov will be one to watch.
Also likely to be back in the mix this year in the pool is Lara van Niekerk.
The Pretoria swimmer has had a horrible few years with injury, illness and unlucky administrative blunders.
But still only 22 years old, she’ s on the comeback trail and will hopefully stay healthy and injury-free to be able to defend her 50 and 100m breaststroke titles at the Commonwealth Games later this year.
Mountain Biking
Tyler Jacobs
South African mountain biking already has global standardbearers in two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Alan Hatherly and Candice Lill, but Tyler Jacobs is the next South African name set to break through in 2026. The 21-year-old Liv Factory Racing rider has risen at remarkable speed since switching to cross-country racing in 2021, announcing herself on the world stage with a historic bronze medal in the U23 Women’ s Short Track( XCC) at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland.
Netball
Sanmarie Visser
Netball has a new star to get excited about in Sanmarie Visser, the 22-year-old rising talent who has quickly established herself as a key figure in the SPAR Proteas’ defensive circle. Hailing from Upington in the Northern Cape, Visser’ s game is built on aerial strength and an impressive calm under pressure.
She made her national debut at the start of 2025 and, having played a cameo role as a temporary replacement in Australia’ s Suncorp Super Netball league, Visser has now earned a place in the Leeds Rhinos team in England’ s Netball Super League, where she will form part of the club’ s 2026 squad while gaining valuable overseas exposure – a move that is likely to make the former discus thrower an even more impressive defensive force.
Road Running
Musawenkosi Mnisi
Distance running in South Africa is buzzing with emerging talent, and Musawenkosi Mnisi is likely to be at the forefront in 2026. Still just 20 years old, Mnisi has already made a strong impression on the senior scene with standout performances across track, cross country and road running, including a 14:10 runner-up finish at the national 5km championships, followed by a 29:00 second-place sprint finish at the national 10km championships.
A former junior world cross-country representative, his impressive performances earned him a move to powerhouse club Boxer AC, where he now trains alongside the prodigious Glenrose Xaba. Versatile and improving fast, Mnisi is shaping up to be one of South Africa’ s most exciting young distance-running prospects.
She continued that momentum in the World Cup circuit, consistently featuring at the sharp end and finishing fourth overall in the 2025 U23 series. www. modernathlete. co. za 9