Share

Caster confirmed in Team SA squad

Johannesburg - Benefiting from Athletics South Africa's (ASA) extended qualifying deadline, Caster Semenya has been included in a 31-member squad for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing from August 22-30.

Semenya made a last-gasp attempt at attaining the qualifying standard in the 800m, posting 2:00.72 to book her place for the championships at a meeting in Linz, Austria at the end of July.

South African discus thrower Victor Hogan, who finished in a creditable fifth at the previous championships in Moscow, was also a late addition to the squad.

ASA has selected a strong squad for the global showpiece which include 14 athletes that are national record-holders in their respective events.

Five of the athletes rank among the top-eight in the world this season with women’s javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen boasting the leading heave this year with the 66.62m throw she launched in Melbourne in March.

Sprinting sensation Wayde van Niekerk, who became the first African to break through the 44-second barrier in the 400m, will go into the championships with the third fastest time this year.

The one-lap sprinter also posted the sixth fastest 200m time this year with his national record of 19.94.

He will, however, only focus on the 400m with London Olympic finalist Anaso Jobodwana flying South Africa’s flag in the half-lap sprint with his 20.04 ranked the 12th fastest this year.

London Olympics decathlete Willem Coertzen's latest South African record of 8 398 points in the combined events is the sixth best in the world this season.

South African long jump record holder Khotso Mokoena will be accompanied by rising stars Zarck Visser and Ruswahl Samaai.

Visser, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist is the number-two ranked long jumper this season with his personal best leap of 8.41m, with Ruswahl Samaai’s 8.38m jump from nationals in April the fourth best this year.

The squad includes five former world championships medallists with Semenya, Mokoena, Johan Cronje, Viljoen and LJ van Zyl named in the squad.

South Africa returned from the previous edition in Moscow with only Cronje getting onto the podium with his bronze-medal run in the 1 500m.

Joint-national record holders in the men’s 100m, Henricho Bruintjies and Akani Simbine, will be running in the short sprint, while the former will also be participating in the 200m.

Only six women qualified for the championships with Viljoen, Semenya, Carina Horn (100m), Justine Palframan (200m/400m), Semenya, Wenda Nel (400m hurdles), and Tanith Maxwell (marathon) joining the 25 men on the flight to Beijing.

South African squad:

Men

Henricho Bruintjies (100m), Akani Simbine (100m/200m), Anaso Jobodwana (100m/200m), Wayde van Niekerk (400m), Berend Koekemoer (400m), Rynardt van Rensburg (800m), Johan Cronje (1 500m), Stephen Mokoka (10 000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), LJ van Zyl (400m hurdles), Cornel Fredericks (400m hurdles), Zarck Visser (long jump), Ruswahl Samaai (long jump), Khotso Mokoena (long jump/triple jump), Orazio Cremona (shot put), Jaco Engelbrecht (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus throw), Rocco van Rooyen (javelin throw), Willem Coertzen (decathlon), Lebogang Shange (20km walk), Marc Mundell (50km walk), Benedict Moeng (marathon), Desmond Mokgobu (marathon), Lucas Jani (marathon), Sibusiso Nzima (marathon)

Women

Carina Horn (100m), Justine Palframan (200m/400m), Caster Semenya (800m), Wenda Nel (400m hurdles), Sunette Viljoen (javelin throw), Tanith Maxwell (marathon)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE