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Cape Town - South Africa always excels at the Commonwealth Games and next month's Gold Coast Games won't be any different.
Triathlete Richard Murray is one of the nations medal prospects and will be eyeing a podium finish next week.
Murray, who won silver in the mixed teams and bronze in the men's triathlon at the 2014 Glasgow Games, has had the perfect preparation leading up to his second Commonwealth Games.
He went on to complete his second international win of the year in Mooloolaba earlier this month.
Murray, who has spent two weeks training in New Zealand, says he is confident and ready to win a medal on Thursday, April 5.
"I'm confident in my ability and what I can do on race day," Murray told Sport24 in an exclusive interview.
"I'm in a good shape and keen to give it my best."
For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the triathlon will be a sprint format, which consists of a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.
"I do enjoy a sprint distance and can be even closer to the front out the water on a sprint so hope to be in the action out of the water," he said.
Murray's compatriot Henri Schoeman is also a medal prospect after pipping him at the Rio Olympics to take bronze in 2016.
"We're on great terms and I'm happy for him when he races well. It's great to have the both of us competing for South Africa showing triathlon to the country," said Murray.
The 29-year-old revealed that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is the long-term benchmark looking ahead of next month's tournament.
"After Commonwealth Games I plan to race ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) series full on this year and will compete at Bermuda WTS event next," said Murray.
"I'm sticking to short distance until 2020 Tokyo Olympics and will see how things go from there. I don't see myself racing long course just yet, I've got plenty speed left."
