On paper, the SA group is more likely to battle in an try and retain their place close to the prime of the medals desk at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will get underway on Friday.
At the 2018 showpiece on Australia’s Gold Coast, the nationwide squad raked in 37 medals to complete sixth in the desk, and they may not have the depth to punch that top in Birmingham.
The group does, nonetheless, embrace some world-class athletes in a variety of sports activities who can be keen to steer the means.
We take a more in-depth look at 5 of South Africa’s best medal chances at the Games.
Tatjana Schoenmaker (swimming)
Having taken a again seat this season, Schoenmaker ought to be itching to make an explosive assertion in the pool.
The 200m world document holder and Olympic champion was surprised by compatriot Lara van Niekerk at this 12 months’s nationwide championships and went on to skip the current World Championships with a view to concentrate on retaining her 100m and 200m breaststroke titles in Birmingham.
While different swimmers may also be chasing podium locations, as they spearhead SA’s medal cost at the multi-sport showpiece, Schoenmaker will need to show she’s nonetheless the queen of the water.
Akani Simbine (athletics)
After narrowly lacking out on a medal once more at the World Championships earlier this month, Simbine can be hoping to flaunt his velocity in defence of his Commonwealth 100m title.
Hitting his peak at the proper time, he’ll end up amongst the favourites. And whereas he hasn’t fairly hit prime velocity but this 12 months, Simbine’s expertise and stable kind could possibly be sufficient to get him throughout the line forward of his opponents.
He has, nonetheless, reportedly withdrawn from the 4x100m relay, which is able to dent the group’s medal chances.
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (street biking)
At the age of 36, Moolman-Pasio is one of the most skilled athletes in the nationwide squad, and she or he can be seeking to ship as soon as once more.
A bronze medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she has been in fine form on the World Tour this 12 months, ending third at the Strade Bianche Donne in March and reaching the podium on the third stage of the Tour de France Femmes final week.
Ranked eleventh in the world, she is undoubtedly one of the best riders in the Commonwealth, and her consistency suggests she’s going to once more be in the hunt.
Blitzboks (rugby sevens)
Though they’ve been inconsistent in the World Rugby Sevens Series this season, the Blitzboks are one of the best sides on the world circuit.
After profitable gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Blitzboks settled for fourth place in the sevens competitors at the 2018 showpiece, and they are going to be desirous to return to the podium in Birmingham.
While the SA Women’s Sevens group are additionally in motion, they are going to be happy simply to achieve some beneficial expertise, and the nation’s medal ambitions are more likely to relaxation with the males.
Proteas Women (cricket)
Ranked sixth in the world in T20 cricket, the Proteas Women have an actual probability of reaching the podium after repeatedly proving they’ll maintain their very own towards the prime groups in the sport.
It gained’t be straightforward, nonetheless, with two of the sides ranked above them – England and New Zealand – turning out of their pool (Group B) and so they should be at their best to succeed in the semifinals.
But after progressing to the playoffs at the final editions of the One-Day and T20 World Cup tournaments, they are going to fancy their chances of reaching the knockout rounds once more.
