Wayde, Caster headline strong SA world champs squad

Cape Town - A 24-member national team has been announced by Athletics South Africa for the IAAF World Championships in London to be held from August 4-13, 2017.

The final team includes all four track and field medallists from last year's Rio Olympic Games.

World 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk will compete in the 200m and 400m sprints, Luvo Manyonga will turn out in the long jump, Caster Semenya will line up in the 800m and Sunette Viljoen is in the javelin.

The national squad, which consists of 18 men and six women, will be led by ASA Track and Field chairperson, Pieter Lourens.

With a strong team leading the charge, the team will aim to improve on their impressive medal haul at the 2015 edition of the biennial showpiece in Beijing, China where the nation bagged three medals (one gold and two bronze).

"We believe this is one of the strongest teams ever selected for the IAAF World Championships, and we are confident they will return home with a bag full of medals," said ASA president, Aleck Skhosana.

"We wish them all well with their final preparations and we trust they will arrive in London in their best form and ready to carry the South African flag with pride."

For me, this will always be an honour to respresent my country. Officially in the South African team for @London2017. #proud pic.twitter.com/svXWGfAShp

— Sunette Viljoen (@Sunette_Viljoen) July 22, 2017