SA Olympic squad expands

There was a slight concern that defending Olympic 400 metre champion Wayde van Niekerk would miss out on qualification given his long road back from injury and Covid-19, however his name is in the squad for July and August's games.

Also joining up with the South African squad is the impressive, young sprinting sensation who has taken the United States University scene by storm - Shaun Maswanganyi.

Van Niekerk is joined by South Africa's premier surfer Jordy Smith and the impressive men's coxless four rowing team have also confirmed their place in the team heading to Japan.

After finishing in the bronze medal position at the Rio Games, Neil Powell's men's sevens team have confirmed their squad for the Olympics with a strong mix of youth and experience hoping to fight it out for the gold medal.

Stefan de Bod has been selected in the men's road cycling team following the withdrawal of the injured Daryl Impey.

The largest omission from the latest squad of athletes is Caster Semenya. Following a recent ruling she is unable to race in the 800 metres, the race she won two gold medals in, and should she refuse to take hormone supressents she can only qualify in the 5000 metres.

She is yet to qualify in this distance.

Excitingly South Africa's first skateboarding Olympians have been selected. Melissa Williams, Andre Oberholzer, Boipelo Awuah and Brandon Valjalo will represent the Rainbow Nation for the first time at the Games.

Athletes still have until 29 June to qualify for the Games and there will be more additions to the squad following the conclusion of the qualifying process.

ATHLETICS

Akani Simbine, Clarence Munyai, Antonio Alkana, Cheswill Johnson, Ruswahl Samaai, Rocco van Rooyen, Jason van Rooyen, Stephen Mokoka, Desmond Mokgobu, Elroy Gelant, Wayne Snyman, Kyle Blignaut, Marc Mundell, Wayde van Niekerk, Gift Leotlela, Shaun Maswanganyi, Men’s 4X100m Relay and Men’s 4X400m Relay, Wenda Nel, Dominique Scott, Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl

Coaches and management: Jean Verster, Hezekiel Sepeng, Paul Gorries, Irma Reyneke, Hendrik Ramaala, Pierre Blignaut, Jennifer Kingwell

CLIMBING

Erin Sterkenburg and Chris Cosser

Coach/Manager: James Barnes

CYCLING

Johan Spies, Charlene du Preez, David Maree, Stefan De Bod, Ryan Gibbons, Nicholas Dlamini, Ashleigh Pasio-Moolman, Carla Oberholzer, Alan Hatherly, Candice Lill and Alex Limberg

Team Officials

Elton Davids (Team Manager and BMX Coach), Ian Goetham (Road Coach), Moosa Classen (Track Mechanic), Jean-Pierre Jacobs (Mountain Bike Manager Coach and Mechanic), Carl Pasio (Road Coach), Brigette Mileson (Track Coach Manager), Gary Blem (Road Mechanic)

GYMNASTICS

Caitlin Rooskrantz

Coach: Ilse Laing (Roets)

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Quanita Bobbs, Erin Christie, Lisa Deetlefs, Lilian Du Plessis, Nicole Erasmus, Tarryn Glasby, Robyn Johnson, Charne Maddocks, Lerato Mahole, Phumelela Mbande, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Tarryn Potts, Celia Seerane, Nomnikelo Veto and Onthatile Zulu

Coaches and Management: Gillian Doig (Manager), Robin Van Ginkel (Head Coach), Nkuliso Zondi (Assistant Coach) and Taren Naidoo (Video Analyst)

MEN’S HOCKEY

Rassie Pieterse, Timothy Drummond, Austin Smith, Mohamed Mea, Matthew Guise-Brown, Jethro Eustice, Nduduzo Lembethe, Taine Paton, Nicholas Spooner, Clinton Panther, Samkelo Mvimbi, Abdud Cassiem, Mustaphaa Cassiem, Nqobile Ntuli, Keenan Horne and Tevin Kok

Coaches and Management: Martin van Staden (Manager), Garreth Ewing (Head Coach), Siphesihle Ntuli (Assistant Coach) and Ashlin Freddy

ROWING

Lawrence Brittain, John Smith, Sandro Torrento, Kyle Schoonbee, Jake Green, Luc Daffarn

Coaches and management: Roger Barrow, Marco Galeone

MEN’S RUGBY SEVENS

Sakoyisa Makata, Dylan Sage, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Angelo Davids, JC Pretorius, Branco du Preez, Selvyn Davids, Justin Geduld, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Stedman Gans, Ronald Brown, Lubalalo Dobela, Chris Dry, Muller du Plessis, Ruhan Nel

Coaches and management: Neil Powell, Renfred Dazel, Ghafoer Luckan, Ashley Evert

SAILING

Alex Burger, Benjamin Daniel, Leo Davis

Coach/Manager: Asenathi Jim, Victor Davis

SKATEBOARDING

Melissa Williams, Andre Oberholzer, Boipelo Awuah, Brandon Valjalo

Coach and management: Wendy Gila

SURFING

Bianca Buitendag, Jordy Smith

Coach/Manager: Isaac February, Gregory Emslie

SWIMMING

Tatjana Schoenmaker, Kaylene Corbett, Emma Chelius, Erin Gallagher, Ethan du Preez, Chad le Clos, Pieter Coetze, Bradley Tandy, Michael Houlie, Matthew Sates, Women’s 4x100m medley relay (Mariella Venter, Tatjana Schoenmaker, Erin Gallagher, Aimee Canny)

Artistic swimming: Laura Strugnell, Clarissa Johnston

Coaches and management: Vicky Drinkwater

TRIATHLON

Gillian Sanders, Henri Schoeman, Simon Ackermann, Richard Murray

Coaches and management: Kate Murray, Lindsey Parry

WOMEN’S WATERPOLO

Amica Hallenndorff, Shakira January, Meghan Maartens, Chloe Meecham, Georgie Moir, Boati Motau, Hannah Muller, Daniela Passoni, Megan Sileno, Ashleigh Vaughn, Jordan Wedderburn, Kelsey White. Reserve: Yanah Gerber

Coaches and management: Candice Williams, Delaine Mentor, Duncan Woods

MEN’S WATERPOLO

Ignardus Badenhorst, Devon Card, Jason Evezard, Cameron Laurenson, Lwzi Madi, Farouk Mayman, Yaseen Margro, Liam Neill, Roarke Olver, Nicholas Rodda, Donn Stewart, Ross Stone. Reserve: Gareth May

Coaches and management: Rowen Meth, Paul Martin, Vaughan Marlow