Other swimmers who graced the podium in Birmingham and will be looking for a return are Erin Gallagher, Kaylene Corbett and Para-swimmer Christian Sadie, with a host of young guns also looking to make their mark this time around. One to watch will be Aimee Canny, who has broken multiple national records in recent weeks.
As always, the athletics track is bound to be a happy hunting ground for Team SA. Veteran Akani Simbine spearheads the SA challenge, having taken the Commonwealth Games 100m title in 2018 and claiming silver in 2022. This time he’ ll focus all his efforts on the 4x100m relay rather than the individual event, where he will be teaming up with fellow Olympic silver medallist Bradley Nkoana, world champs finalist and national champion Gift Leotlela and Sinesipho Dambile( who is among the favourites for the 200m title). World Relays silver medallists Cheswill Johnson and Mvuyo Moss will also be in the relay mix after their sterling efforts in Botswana.
Another Olympic silver medallist, Jo-Ané du Plessis, will also be in action after recovering from a back injury, while Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay have shown promising form in the 400m this season. Apart from the individual event, they’ ll also be pinning their hopes on the 4x400m mixed relay where they’ ll be joining forces with Marlie Viljoen and Rogail Joseph.
The athletics team also features standouts such as Prudence Sekgodiso in the 800m and 100m hurdler Marione Fourie, while several Para-athletes will also be adding to the SA threat on the track and in the field.
Meanwhile, other returning Commonwealth Games medallists include Elinah Muvango and Bridget Calitz, who were part of the lawn bowls team that secured silver in the women’ s fours, and gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz, who clinched a historic bronze in the women’ s uneven bars four years ago.
Elsewhere in Glasgow, the Proteas netball team will also be chasing a first ever trip to the Commonwealth Games podium( See pg. 22-23 for the inside scoop on that with assistant coach Zanele Mdodana).
Guiding Team SA in Glasgow will be former SPAR Proteas captain Bongi Msomi, who was announced as the team’ s chef de mission. Speaking at the team announcement and kit launch in Johannesburg, a thrilled Msomi, who was flagbearer at the last Games which she attended as a player, said:“ I’ ve been given a baton to say, go and lead not just netball, lead the athletes of the country. That is a massive honour.
“ It is an absolute honour to come from such a diverse country where there are so many opportunities for us to be split apart, but to be given a chance to come to a space where we can be united, where we can actually represent our country … We choose to unite through the sport we love so much, we choose to show the goodness of us as South Africans without looking the same, but our hearts look the same.”
SASCOC President, Barry Hendricks added:“ It goes without saying that we have the utmost confidence in the squad being delivered to Glasgow to fly our flag high. I always say to athletes that their role when representing their country is as much as being good ambassadors as it is being great competitors. All we ask from the team is that they do their best, and the results will take care of themselves.
“ The country has a proud and distinguished history at the Commonwealth Games, and I have no doubt whatsoever that those wearing the green and gold in Glasgow will continue the tradition of excellence. It’ s an exciting blend of youth and experience and the team is being led by a chef de mission who herself knows what it takes to succeed at this level of competition.”
Medal paydays
SASCOC have announced financial incentives for those athletes and teams earning medals in Glasgow:
Individual events:
• Athletes who win gold will be awarded R 100 000, with the coach receiving R 15 000
• Silver medallists will earn R 50 000, with the coach receiving R 10 000
• Bronze medal pay-outs will be R 25 000 and R 5 000 for the athlete and coach, respectively.
For relays and team sports:
• An amount of R 25 000 per athlete and R 15 000 to the coach for a gold medal;
• R 12 500 per athlete and R 7 500 to the coach for a silver medal
• R 6 250 per athlete and R 3 750 to the coach for a bronze medal.
Team SA for the 2026 Commonwealth Games:
PREVIEW
Athletics
Maxime Chaumeton, Sinesipho Dambile, Sabelo Dhlamini, Jo-Ané du Plessis, Marione Fourie, Cheswill Johnson, Rogail Joseph, Tayla Kavanagh, Jacobus le Roux, Gift Leotlela, Mvuyo Moss, Karabo More, Mthi Mthimkulu, Zakithi Nene, Bradley Nkoana, Lythe Pillay, Kyle Rademeyer, Prudence Sekgodiso, Akani Simbine, Douw Smit, Aiden Smith, Tshepo Tshite, Marlie Viljoen
Para Athletics
Liezel Gouws, Sheryl James, Collen Mahlalela, Masala Makatu, Jaco Smit, Nicolaas Strydom, Yane van der Merwe
Boxing
Simamkele Damesi, Thandolwethu Mathiba, Samukelisiwe Ncube, Masibulele Sigwela
Cycling
S’ annara Grove, Jean Spies
Gymnastics
Naveen Daries, Zelme Daries, Daniel Maclean, Buhle Nhleko, Caitlin Rooskrantz, Karma Visagie
Judo
Donné Breytenbach, Thomas-Laszlo Breytenbach, Skye Knoester, Timothy Meuwsen
Lawn Bowls
Paul Anthony, Bridget Calitz, Jason Evans, Jacquelyn Janse van Rensburg, Elinah Muvhango, Wayne Rittmuller
Para Bowls
Jarid James, Keith Orrell, Gareth Rees-Gibbs, Nozipho Schroeder
Netball( See page 23)
Swimming
Guy Brooks, Aimee Canny, Pieter Coetzé, Duné Coetzee, Kaylene Corbett, Caitlin de Lange, Jarden Eaton, Erin Gallagher, Michael Houlie, Calvyn Justus, Chad le Clos, Rebecca Meder, Kris Mihaylov, Georgia Nel, Olivia Nel, Hannah Pearse, Hannah Robertson, Chris Smith, Jessica Thompson, Lara van Niekerk, Ruard van Renen
Para Swimming
Alani Ferreira, Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke
Weightlifting
Nicolaas du Plooy, Laryne Jefferies, Jon-Antohein Phillips, Christoffel Reeder, Cheyenne Smith, Zachary-Paul Snyman, Anneke Spies-Burger, William Swart, Johanni Taljaard
Wheelchair Basketball 3x3
Asive Gilifile, Aviwe Ngoni, Michelle Moganedi, Simanga Mbhele, Ongezwa Hagu, Zakhele Shelembe, Shane Williams, Xola Yalezo
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