Team SA athletics squad eye podium success as track programme gets under way in Glasgow

Young sprint star Bradley Nkoana sailed through his 100m heat in a time of 10.16 to book a place in the semi-final in Glasgow. Photo: TeamSA WithTeam South Africa’s swimmers having already laid the foundationsfor a successful Commonwealth Games campaign,attention now turns to the athletics track, where another healthy haul of medals could be on offer over the coming days in Glasgow. The track and field programme burst into life on Monday morning with Bradley Nkoana and Cheswill Johnson safely booking their places in the men’s 100m semi-finals.

Olympic relay silver medallist Bradley Nkoana looked every bit the contender after easing down over the closing metres to win his opening-round heat in 10.16 seconds, progressing to the semi-finals as the 10th-fastest qualifier. Cheswill Johnson also advanced after winning his heat in 10.21 seconds. Despite recording only the 15th-fastest time overall, it was enough to secure his place among the 17 semi-finalists.

While a place in the final would represent an encouraging return, South Africa’s greatest sprint medal hopes are likely to come later in the programme. The men’s 4x100m relay, in particular, is shaping up as one of Team SA’s strongest gold medal opportunities. The squad boasts Olympic silver medallists Akani Simbine and Nkoana, national champion Gift Leotlela, Johnson, world No 4-ranked 200m runner Sinesipho Dambile and Mvuyo Moss, giving South Africa enviable depth ahead of the relay later this week.

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Dambile will also carry genuine medal ambitions in the individual 200m after enjoying the finest season of his career. The 19.74-second performer heads to Glasgow ranked fourth in the world this year and will fancy his chances when the heats begin on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s final. South Africa also boasts impressive depth over one lap of the track.

World No 3 Zakithi Nene enters the men’s 400m as one of the leading contenders after lowering his season’s best to 43.89 seconds, while Lythe Pillay has also emerged as a genuine finalist with a season’s best of 44.32. Beyond the individual event, Nene and Pillay will form the backbone of South Africa’s mixed 4x400m relay team. Mthi Mthimkulu adds further depth alongside women’s 400m runners Marlie Viljoen and Rogail Joseph, giving Team SA a realistic opportunity of challenging for another podium finish in the mixed relay.

Prudence Sekgodiso has the potential to add to SA’s medal haul in the women’s 800m. Monday evening also marks the start of Prudence Sekgodiso’s campaign in the women’s 800m. Ranked eighth in the world this season after consistently producing world-class performances on the international circuit, the indoor world champion begins her challenge in the heats as one of South Africa’s strongest individual medal hopes.

The field events offer further reason for optimism. Javelin thrower Douw Smit arrives in Glasgow ranked among the world’s Top 10 after repeatedly throwing beyond the 80m mark this season and will be aiming to convert that consistency into a Commonwealth medal. Fellow javelin specialist Jo-Ané du Plessis also returns to major championship competition following her comeback from injury and has the experience to challenge for a place on the podium.

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