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Simbine and Van Niekerk headline SA squad for Commonwealth Games 2026

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Simbine and Van Niekerk headline SA squad for Commonwealth Games 2026
By Adnaan Mohamed

Akani Simbine, South Africa’s 100m record holder, headlines a squad that features nine other national record holder for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 6 August.

The group has been trimmed from the initial 72 athletes announced in December, with the latest selection comprising 44 men and 24 women as preparations intensify.

Among those included are three athletes who reached the podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: 100m star Simbine, long jumper Jovan van Vuuren and 400m hurdles specialist Zenéy Geldenhuys.

Wayde van Niekerk, the world record holder over 400m, has been selected in the 200m, while Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Miné de Klerk (shot put), and marathon runners Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba are also among the country’s record holders in the squad.

The provisional team further includes Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), former world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), and ultra-distance specialist Gerda Steyn.

The final team to travel to Scotland will be confirmed at a later stage by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

ASA provisional Commonwealth Games squad

Men:
Akani Simbine (100m/4x100m), Shaun Maswanganyi (100m/4x100m), Gift Leotlela (100m/4x100m), Abduraghmaan Karriem (100m/4x100m), Retshidisitswe Mlenga (100m/4x100m), Tsebo Matsoso (100m/4x100m), Karabo Letebele (100m/4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (100m/4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (100m/4x100m), Sinesipho Dambile (200m/4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m/4x400m), Naeem Jack (200m), Leendert Koekemoer (400m/4x400m), Matt Nortjé (400m/4x400m), Udeme Okon (400m/4x400m), Zakithi Nene (400m/4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m/4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (400m/4x400m), Mthi Mthimkulu (400m/4x400m), Tumisang Shezi (400m/4x400m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Ryan Mphahlele (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles), John Adesola (110m hurdles), Njabulo Mbatha (400m hurdles), Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Kyle Blignaut (shot put), Aiden Smith (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus), Brian Raats (high jump), Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault), Douw Smith (javelin), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Adam Lipschitz (marathon), Thabang Mosiako (marathon), Tumelo Motlagale (marathon), Melikhaya Frans (marathon), Regan Magwai (marathon), Bennett Seloyi (marathon).

Women:
Miranda Coetzee (400m/4x400m), Shirley Nekhubui (400m/4x400m), Precious Molepo (400m/4x400m), Zenéy Geldenhuys (400m hurdles/4x400m), Hannah van Niekerk (400m hurdles/4x400m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles/4x400m), Marlie Viljoen (400m/4x400m), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Aviwe Hoboloshe (800m), Charné du Plessis (800m), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Danielle Nolte (long jump), Miré Reinstorf (pole vault), Miné de Klerk (shot put), Ashley Erasmus (shot put), Colette Uys (shot put), Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), Mckyla van der Westhuizen (javelin), Jana van Schalkwyk (javelin), Jessica Groenewald (35km walk), Glenrose Xaba (marathon), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Dominique Scott-Efurd (marathon), Gerda Steyn (marathon).

Xaba targets SA 10km record in stacked Gqeberha showdown

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By Adnaan Mohamed

South African 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba will launch her 2026 campaign with history in her sights when she lines up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March.

Xaba returns to Nelson Mandela Bay off the back of a demanding but productive 2025 season in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, where she claimed three podium finishes, including two victories. Her year also included the second marathon of her career and national duty at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in the United States.

After a brief recovery phase, she says preparations have progressed smoothly.

“The body is feeling good,” Xaba said. “After World Cross Country, the focus was on recovery, easy mileage and strength work before building intensity again. Training has been consistent, and I feel stronger each week.”

The 2026 Gqeberha race is being billed as the fastest women’s 10km field assembled on African soil. Kenya’s sub-30-minute performer Brenda Jepchirchir and compatriot Faith Cherono headline a formidable East African contingent.

For Xaba, the quality of the field presents opportunity rather than intimidation.

“Being part of such a strong field is exciting and motivating,” she said. “When you line up against fast Kenyan athletes and other top runners, it pushes you to perform at your best.”

Xaba holds the South African women’s 10km record of 31:12 and finished third in Gqeberha last year in 31:50. With an anticipated aggressive early pace, she could become the first South African woman to dip under the 31-minute mark.

“I have great memories from racing in Gqeberha last year and finishing on the podium,” she added. “This time, I want to improve on that performance. My target is to run a personal best and compete for the top positions again.”

Glenrose Xaba 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K by Anthony Grote

Series founder and Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer welcomed Xaba’s return, highlighting the significance of staging a world-class women’s field on home soil.

“We are incredibly proud to see Glenrose line up against world-class competitors,” Meyer said. “Hosting what is arguably the fastest women’s 10km field on the continent is a milestone for the event.”

The Gqeberha race opens a five-leg national series that will travel to Cape Town (10 May), Durban (12 July), Tshwane (23 August) and Joburg (24 September).

With a combined prize purse of R1 686 000 and additional incentives for South African athletes, the stakes are high. But for Xaba, the primary target remains the clock.

If the pace unfolds as predicted along the coastal route, South African road running could witness a landmark performance to kick-start 2026.

2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Dates

  1. 1 March 2026 – Gqeberha 10K
  2. 10 May 2026 – Cape Town 10K
  3. 12 July 2026 – Durban 10K
  4. 23 August 2026 – Tshwane 10K
  5. 24 September 2026 – Joburg 10K

For more info visit: https://runyourcityseries.com/