Team SA unveils star-studded squad for Glasgow Games
A squad of 112 athletes from 10 sporting codes was announced by Sascoc president Barry Hendricks on June 24.
Team South Africa will return to the site of its second-most successful Commonwealth Games campaign next month when the quadrennial showpiece gets underway in Glasgow.
South Africa collected 40 medals when the Games were held in Glasgow in 2014, and South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (Sascoc) president Barry Hendricks is confident Team SA can emulate that success when competition begins on July 23.
Hendricks unveiled a star-studded squad of 112 athletes from 10 sporting codes, headlined by backstroke world champion Pieter Coetzé, who won gold, silver and bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Games, and Olympic silver medallist Jo-Anè van Dyk.
The squad comprises 59 men and 53 women. Athletics contributes 25 athletes, including 2018 Commonwealth 100m champion Akani Simbine, while swimming has 21 representatives. Six para-athletes have also been selected.
The team was announced at a glitzy event at Sascoc House on June 24, where the team kit, designed by retailer Mr Price Sport, was also paraded.
“We are quite confident that we’ve put together a top-class quality squad that will make us proud at the Commonwealth Games,” said Hendricks.
The Sascoc president also announced financial incentives for medallists and coaches.
Individual gold medallists will each receive R100 000, while their coaches will earn R50 000. Silver medallists will receive R50 000 and their coaches R10 000, while bronze medallists will earn R25 000 and their coaches R7 500.
Also Read: How the Benonians of Team SA fared at the Commonwealth Games
In team sports and relays, each gold-medal-winning athlete will receive R25 000 and their coach R5 000. Silver medallists will earn R12 500 and coaches R7 500, while bronze medallists will receive R6 250 and coaches R3 750.
Despite South Africa’s worst Commonwealth Games performance since returning to the event in 1994, when it collected 27 medals in Birmingham in 2022, Hendricks said no specific medal target has been set for the athletes.
“The mandate first and foremost is to go out there and do what you’ve been training for all these years, go out and compete to the best of your ability. Go and win those medals.
“You build South Africa’s pride not only by winning but by showing how well you compete, and then coming back and instilling hope and passion in the people who will be watching you perform. That’s how we develop and build our next level of champions.”
Asked whether South Africa’s hopes once again rested on athletics and swimming, which combined for 16 medals in Birmingham, Hendricks urged supporters to look beyond the traditional powerhouses.
“No, we did exceptionally well in cycling at the Olympics. Let’s look at it as a whole. Even in weightlifting, we stand a really good chance. Let’s focus on all of them as a realistic South African team,” he said.
Deputy Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Peace Mabe was more direct about the government’s expectations.
“They must win,” she said. “They must bring gold medals back. They’re not there to socialise or go on holiday. They are there to fight for the country, represent us and make the country proud.”
The Games are smaller than usual after Glasgow stepped in to rescue the event when Victoria, Australia, withdrew in 2023, citing financial constraints.
The opening ceremony will be held at the OVO Hydro Arena on July 23, with the Games concluding on August 2.
The team:
Athletics
• Men: Gift Leotlela; Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, Cheswill Johnson, Mvuyo Moss, Sinesipho Dambile, Mthi Mthimkulu, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay, Maxime Chaumeton, Tshepo Tshite, Jacobus le Roux, Sabelo Dhlamini, Aiden Smith, Douw Smit, Kyle Rademeyer
• Women: Marlie Viljoen, Prudence Sekgodiso, Karabo More, Tayla Kavanagh, Marione Fourie, Rogail Joseph, Jo-Ane du Plessis
Para athletics
• Women: Sheryl James, Liezel Gouws, Yane van der Merwe
• Men: Jaco Smit, Collen Mahlalela, Masala Makatu, Nicolaas Strydom
Boxing
• Women: Thandolwethu Mathiba, Samukelisiwe Ncube
• Men: Simamkele Damesi, Masibulele Sigwela
Cycling
• Women: S’annara Grove
• Men: Jean Spies
Gymnastics
• Women: Caitlin Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Zelme Daries, Buhle Nhleko, Karma Visagie
• Men: Daniel Maclean
Netball
• Women: Khanyisa Chawane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmere van der Berg, Karla Pretorius, Jamie van Wyk, Karla Victor, Sanmarie Visser
Bowls
• Women: Bridget Calitz, Jacquelyn Janse Van Rensburg, Elinah Muvhango
• Men: Wayne Rittmuller, Jason Evans, Paul Anthony
Para bowls
• Women: Nozipho Schroeder
• Men: Keith Orrell, Gareth Rees-Gibbs, Jarid James
Swimming
• Women: Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson, Kayleen Corbet, Lara van Niekerk, Hannah Pearse, Caitlin de Lange, Hannah Robertson, Georgia Nel, Duné Coetzee, Olivia Nel
• Men: Pieter Coetzé, Ruard van Renen, Michael Houlie, Chris Smith, Calvyn Justus, Chad le Clos, Jarden Eaton, Guy Brooks, Kris Mihaylov
Para swimming
• Women: Danika Vyncke, Alani Ferreira
• Men: Christian Sadie, Nathan Hendricks
Weightlifting
• Women: Johanni Taljaard, Anneke Spies-Burger, Laryne Jefferies, Cheyenne Smith
• Men: William Swart, Nicolaas du Plooy, Christoffel Reeder, Jon-Antohein Philllips, Zachary-Paul Snyman
Wheelchair basketball 3×3
• Women: Aviwe Ngoni, Michelle Moganedi, Asive Gilifile, Ongezwa Hagu
• Men: Zakhele Shelembe, Shane Williams, Xola Yalezo, Simanga Mbhele
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