South Africa will pin their hopes on triathlete Richard Murray for a first medal during the 20th Commonwealth games in Glasgow as he competes in the individual triathlon at Strathclyde Park on today.

Murray will compete in the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run event, which is only one of 57 events across nine sports that Team South Africa athletes will compete in on day one.

“It’s a difficult call as to how much they assist,” said Lindsey Parry the coach and manager of the five-triathlete team which also includes Henri Schoeman and Wian Sullwald.

“Staying too far off pace risks us having no one in the lead bunch, but if they go on their own they could leave Richard too far behind to make the jump in the cycle.

“It’s probably more about them not sharing the lead and slowing the race by what they don’t do,” continued Parry.

Murray is focused on claiming South Africa’s first medal. “If I’m off the podium, I’ll be disappointed,” the Cape-based triathlete told sapa.

“It’s a hard course, we are going to have to work hard on the cycle. With so many steep climbs the legs will get a pounding, which will impact on the run. That could work for me.”

Swimming, a major medal earner for South Africa also starts on Thursday. Myles Brown is the first out of the blocks in the 400m freestyle and one of around 10 medal potentials in the pool.

Karin Prinsloo, Roland Schoeman, and Chad le Clos will also commence their campaigns while Cameron van der Berg will make his start for two individual breaststroke golds on Friday.