Team SA’s athletes are starting to converge on Glasgow ahead of the Commonwealth Games which gets under way in the Scottish city later this week.

A sizeable squad departed from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo on Monday evening, to join up with other squad members already there, and others who are also making their way.

The CEO of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Ms Nozipho Jafta, was among those who flew out and she wished all members well in their travel and competition.

“It’s so exciting to see these athletes, a blend of youth and experience, all so eager to do their best for Team SA. We go there full of hope for these Games and we look forward to seeing their progress. It’s a lovely blend of athletes carrying the country’s hopes.”

The 2026 edition of the Games are comprised of 10 sports, including six fully integrated para-sports, where Team SA has representation in athletics, swimming, 3×3 basketball and lawn bowls, and powerlifting. Other sports include artistic gymnastics, boxing, judo, and netball.

Among the headline acts is Clad le Clos, who will be attending his sixth Commonwealth Games. He arrives in Glasgow needing just one medal to add to the 18 he has already collected since 2010, to become the sole owner of the most medals every won by a male, a number he currently shares with shooters Phillip Adams (Australia) and Mick Gault (England).

There are two Team SA members who are defending gold medallists from Birmingham 2022, both swimmers. Pieter Coetze has high hopes of adding to his gold, silver and bronze haul in the backstroke in 2022, while breaststroker Lara van Niekerk completed the 50m and 100m breaststroke double in Birmingham four years ago.

The Games take place from 23rd July to 2nd August.

Photo: ANTON GEYSER