Tatjana Schoenmaker, Henri Schoeman and Chad le Clos will be out to defend their respective titles when they compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month.
The trio all claimed gold at the Gold Coast Games in 2018 and were included in the team of 190 names announced by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASOC) on Wednesday at an event which marked 50 days to go until this year’s Games.
“Team announcements always make it very real… It’s very exciting and now we can only put our heads down and know it’s that last stretch until we hit the sunshine in Birmingham,” said Schoenmaker who collected two of the country’s 13 gold medals four years ago.
“I’m very excited to be racing at the Commonwealth Games just to see where I am and have that first international race back. I feel a lot better than I did at Nationals and I’m very motivated so I’m excited to race again,” added the Olympic champion.
Speaking about the inclusion in the team of up-and-coming star Lara van Niekerk as well as fellow Olympic finalist Kaylene Corbett, Schoenmaker added: “I’m very excited and I think there’s definitely a very good chance of having two girls on the podium for all our breaststroke events. So it could be a very good gala. We don’t put that pressure on ourselves – we’re just going to go out and give our best – but I definitely have a feeling our best is going to be very good.”
Schoenmaker is only 24 years old but considers herself one of the veterans of the team. As for her thoughts on fellow-veteran Chad le Clos’s mission to because the most medalled athletes of all time at the Commonwealth Games – a record he’ll equal with one more medal – Schoenmaker reckoned: “It’s amazing and obviously we encourage that. I don’t think he’s only going to win one medal, he’ll probably go over the record by far so we are always very supportive… and for the youngsters to experience that moment where he does achieve something so incredible will also be great.”
One such youngster is Schoenmaker’s 18-year-old TUKS teammate Pieter Coetzé who will be competing at his first Games, after previously qualifying for the Olympics when he was just 16.
“The target is definitely to bring home medals,” said the backstroker. “I would love to get some African records as well because I’m quite close in all three distances so I’m looking forward to see what I can do.”
While the full athletics team for Birmingham will be announced at a later stage, the names of the Para athletes who will be competing at the Games have been revealed. Among them is Paralympic medallist Sheryl James.
Speaking about having the disabled events included in the Commonwealth Games, James said: “I think it”s very important. I think it’s a good opportunity for everyone to see what’s possible and that Para athletes work just as hard as every other athlete so I’m excited.”
Meanwhile, looking to make a big statement at these Commonwealth Games a year ahead of hosting the World Cup on home soil is the SA netball team. Captain Bongi Msomi is confident her side can deliver in Birmingham.
“I think this is crunch time – can we go out there and actually medal? That will be so exciting especially because we have a World Cup to host next year. So this is the time for us to set the tone in terms of where we are and how far we’ve come since the previous Commonwealth Games so we’re looking forward to it.
“We know we’re at a point where we can take on these big countries, because to be on the podium we need to be able to crack the No 1, two and three in the world, so at this point I’m really confident that we can finish on the podium.”
Sascoc First Vice President Lwandile Simelane was named as the Chef de Mission for Team South Africa in Birmingham. Speaking to the athletes at the event on Wednesday, she said: “We are brimming with pride and excitement to fly the flag high and we as the team helping you endeavour to give you the best so that you can focus on giving the country and the nation, your families and yourselves some good exciting performances and giving of your best.”
Team SA for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (more athletes to be added at a later stage)
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Men: Leo Williams, Grant Goldschmidt
Coach: Loet Groenewald
BOXING
Men: Amzolele Dyeyi, Simnikiwe Bongco
Women: Phiwokuhle Sbusisiwe
Coaches: Nkosinathi Hlatshwayo, Moneen Brits
CRICKET
Women: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Maria Klaas, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon Mignon van der Merwe (Du Preez), Dane van Niekerk, Laura Wolvaardt, Andrie Steyn, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Delmari Tucker
Officials: Hilton Moreeng, Sedibu Mohlaba, Pokie Ramoadi, Zane Webster, Dillon du Preez
CYCLING
Men: Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg, Darryl Impey, Gustav Basson, Nicholas Dlamini, Morne van Niekerk, Alan Hatherly
Women: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Hayley Preen, Francis Janse van Rensburg, Mariske Strauss, Candice Lill
Officials: Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Alasdair Garnett, Gary Blem
GYMNASTICS
Women: Caitlin Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Mammule Rankoe, Shante Koti, Garcelle Napier
Officials: Ilse Pelser, Leeland Christian
HOCKEY
Women: Bernadette Coston, Bianca Wood, Edith Molikoe, Erin Christie, Hannah Pearce, Hanrie Louw, Jean-Leigh du Toit, Kristen Paton, Lisa-Marie Deetlefs, Lillian du Plessis, Maboloke Serage, Marizen Marais, Onthatile Zulu, Phumelela Mbande, Quanita Bobbs, Robyn Johnson, Shirndre-Lee Simmons, Tarryn Lombard
Officials: Giles Bonnet, Lynn Abrahams, Lenise Marais, Nelson Komane-Nel
JUDO
Women: Michaela Whitebooi, Charné Griesel, Donné Breytenbach
Men: Thomas Breytenbach
Coach: Nikola Filipov
LAWN BOWLS
Men: Petrus Breitenbach, Jason Evans, Prince Neluonde, Wayne Rittmuller, Bradley Robinson
Women: Bridget Calitz, Esme Kruger, Elinah Muvhango, Colleen Piketh, Johanna Snyman, Jessica Henderson
Officials: Susanna Nel, Neil Burkett
NETBALL
Women: Khanyisa Chawane, Izette Griesel, Boitumelo Mahloko, Phumza Maweni, Tshinakaho Mdau, Bongiwe Msomi, Lenize Potgieter, Lefebre Rademan, Monique Reyneke, Nicola Smith, Nichole Taljaard, Elmeré van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe, Ine-Marí Venter, Zanele Vimbela
Officials: Dorette Badenhorst, Dumisani Chauke, Nicole Cusack, Nisha Rupnarain
PARA LAWN BOWLS
Women: Victoria van der Merwe, Tracy Smith, Desiree Levin, Johanna van Rooyen (director)
Men: Deon van der Vyver, Harmanus Scholtz, Willem Viljoen, Thomas Smith (director)
Coach: Geoffrey Newcombe
PARA ATHLETICS
Men: Jaco Smit, Jonathan Ntutu, Charl du Toit, Ernst van Dyk
Women: Mandilene Hoffmann, Yane van der Merwe, Sheryl James
Coaches: Jason Sewanyana, Daniel Damon
Manager: Cornelia Swanepoel
RUGBY SEVENS
Women: Donelle Snyders, Alichia Arries, Felicia Jacobs, Bianca Augustyn, Luleka Tyibilika, Snenhlanhla Shozi, Mathrin Simmers, Asisipho Plaatjies, Anacadia Minnaar, Unathi Mali, Liske Lategan, Kemisetso Baloyi, Kyla de Vries, Nontuthuko Shongwe, Faith Gosling, Zandile Masuku, Thandiswa Nxomani
Officials: Paul Delport, Sandile Ngcobo, Michele van Rooyen
Men: Sakoyisa Makata, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Angelo Davids, JC Pretorius, Selvyn Davids, Ronald Brown, Jordan Hendrikse, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Muller du Plessis, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Christie Grobbelaar, Ruhan Nel, Seabelo Senatla, Manie Libbok
Officials: Neil Powell, Ashley Evert, Renfred Dazel, Ghafour Lukhan
SWIMMING
Men: Chad Le Clos, Matthew Sates, Michael Houlie, Pieter Coetze, Dante Nortje, Andrew Ross, Guy Brooks, Brenden Crawford
Women: Emma Chelius, Kaylene Corbett, Tatjana Schoenmaker, Lara van Niekerk, Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, Dune Coetzee, Olivia Nel, Michaela Pulford
Men’s Para: Christian Sadie
Women’s Para: Cornelle Leach, Alani Ferreira
Coaches: Rocco Meiring, Wayne Riddin, Eugene Da Ponte, Theo Verster
Manager: Julie Cassim
TABLE TENNIS
Men: Theo Cogill, Shaun Jones, Cheetan Nathoo, Kirshwin Steyn
Women: Danisha Patel, Musfiquh Kalam, Lailaa Edwards, Zodwa Maphanga
Coach: Omar Zain Eddin
TRIATHLON
Men: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle, Nicholas Quenet
Women: Simone Ackermann, Shanae Williams, Hannah Newman
PARA TRIATHLON
Men: David Jones, Gavin Kilpatrick, Casper Moodie (guide), Rohan Kennedy (guide)
Women: Linsay Engelbrecht, Trish Heimann (guide)
Coaches: Riana Robertson, Lindsay Parry, Vukile Makeleni
WEIGHTLIFTING
Men: Jon-Antohein Phillips, Ruben Burger, Nathan Eli Morris
Women: Anneke Spies
Coach: Lyle du Plooy
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Men: Allen Mtatase, Cecil Dumond, Ayabonga Jim, Simanga Mbhele,
Women: Aviwe Ngoni, Samkelisiwe Mbatha, Michelle Moganedi, Kelebogile Moeng
Coaches: Ntombizile Mthombeni, Gerhard Smith.