The North-West University (NWU) will once again be strongly represented on the continental athletics stage after six student-athletes and one coach were selected for the South African national team competing at the 2026 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Championships in Accra, Ghana.

The championships, taking place from 12 to 17 May, feature a 35-member South African squad, with NWU athletes making up a significant portion of the national team.

Representing the university and the ACNW are Bradley Nkoana (100m), Mihlali Xotyeni (100m and 200m), Luan Munnik (1 500m), Valco van Wyk (pole vault), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles) and Righardt Stander (discus and javelin). NWU coach Cyril Lawless was also selected as part of the national coaching staff.

The SA javelin champion, Waldouw Smit, is another ACNW athlete and Potchefstroomer who will represent South Africa at the African Athletics Championships. He is also an NWU-alumnus.

The selection further highlights the university’s continued contribution to South African athletics at elite level, with several of the athletes already delivering standout performances nationally and internationally this season.

Bradley Nkoana, who is studying towards a diploma in Coaching Sciences, recently helped South Africa secure a silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay at the World Relay Championships in Gaborone, Botswana. The South African quartet finished in 37.49 seconds, narrowly behind the United States team.

Bradley Nkoana further strengthened his growing international résumé after claiming silver in the 100m final at the CAA Championships in a time of 10.31 seconds.

Mihlali Xotyeni, currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Management Sciences with Business Management, earned bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m at the USSA Championships earlier this year, while also finishing third in the 200m at the ASA Senior National Championships.

Middle-distance athlete Luan Munnik, who is studying towards a postgraduate diploma in Management, heads to Ghana following a strong indoor and domestic season. Earlier this year, he competed at the World Indoor Championships in Poland, where he finished seventh in the 3 000m. He also claimed silver in the 1 500m at the ASA National Championships, as well as gold medals in both the 1 500m and 5 000m at the USSA Championships.

Valco van Wyk, a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Sport Coaching and Human Movement Sciences student, secured national titles at both the ASA Senior National Championships and the USSA Championships in pole vault.

Rogail Joseph, who is studying towards a diploma in Coaching Sciences, enters the championships after winning the 400m hurdles at the ASA Senior National Championships. She was also part of South Africa’s mixed 4x400m relay team that competed at the World Relays in Botswana and qualified for the 2027 World Championships.

Field athlete Righardt Stander, also studying towards a diploma in Coaching Sciences, impressed during the domestic season with podium finishes in three throwing disciplines at the ASA Senior National Championships. He was Team NWU’s highest points scorer at the USSA Championships after winning gold in discus and silver medals in both shot put and javelin.

“It is a tremendous honour to have six of the 35 team members representing our university. We can be incredibly proud of these athletes and their coaches, as extensive preparation, commitment, and logistical planning are required to earn a place in a national team,” says Tracey Oliver, athletics manager at the Potchefstroom Campus.

“The prospects for our athletes are very promising, and we are confident that they will perform exceptionally well. As a university and sporting code, we are privileged to have such outstanding talent within our ranks. These athletes not only represent themselves, but also bring recognition and pride to our sporting code, university, and country.

“Through their dedication and achievements, they inspire many younger athletes to pursue excellence and strive to follow in their footsteps. They are true role models and ambassadors for both the university and the nation.”