There will be a strong international flavour this week at the Simbine Curro Classic Shootout, with world-class fields being announced for the second leg of the annual Classic Shootout series, to be held in conjunction with the Curro Podium Grand Finale at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on Friday and Saturday.
There will be eight events held over two days of competition, with the line-ups featuring athletes from South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana, Germany, Namibia, Eswatini and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The men's and women's 60m heats and finals will be contested on Friday, while the programme on Saturday includes 150m, 300m and 600m races.
Getting things underway on Friday, the women's 60m field will be spearheaded by experienced sprinter Tamzin Thomas, a former South African 100m and 200m champion and an African Championships relay gold medallist.
Among the athletes who will be aiming to cause an upset against the pre-race favourite are Chane Kok, the SA student 100m hurdles champion, as well as Danielle Nolte, an African Championships bronze medallist in the long jump who will be testing her speed in the early stages of the 2026 season.
The men's 60m line-up is wide open, spearheaded by the likes of Tshifura Mukhethwa, who boasts a 100m personal best of 10.19, and Olympic athlete Oliver Mwimba who holds the DRC national 60m record (6.72).
On Saturday, there will be plenty of interest in the men's and women's 300m contests.
The men's event features Udeme Okon, Lythe Pillay and Mthi Mthimkulu, who all formed part of the SA squad that won gold in the 4x400m final at last year's World Athletics Relays.
Other athletes to watch include 400m specialist Matt Nortje and Kemorena Tisang of Botswana, an African Championships silver medallist in the 400m hurdles.
The women's 300m entry list is led by 18-year-old Rume Burger, the SA senior 200m champion who won the women's 150m race at the USN Simbine Classic Shootout at Hoërskool Menlopark last week.
The strong line-up also includes the likes of former SA 400m champion Precious Molepo, former SA 200m champion Banele Shabangu, World U20 Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist Hannah van Niekerk, and rising 18-year-old hurdles star Tumi Ramokgopa who holds multiple national records in the youth and junior age groups.
Over the 600m distance, some of South Africa's top athletes will be up against visiting international contenders.
VILJOEN, HOBOLOSHE LEAD WOMEN CHARGE
The women's field features SA 400m champion Marlie Viljoen, 800m specialist Aviwe Hoboloshe (who finished second in the 1 000m race at the USN Simbine Classic Shootout last week) and 18-year-old Carisa van Rooyen, the SA junior 800m champion.
Other athletes to watch include 400m hurdles specialist Gezelle Magerman, national street mile champion Carmie Prinsloo and experienced German athlete Jennifer Hauke.
The men's line-up is also packed, with former Olympic relay athlete Ranti Dikgale perhaps turning out as the favourite, though he will have to dig deep to pick up the win.
Other contenders include Letlhogonolo Mokgethi of Botswana, 800m specialist Renier de Villiers and former SA 400m hurdles champion Lindokule Gora.
Wide open battles are expected in the 150m sprints.
Among the women lining up are national university 200m champion Anestayshia George, SA U23 Championships 100m bronze medallist Rhode Nel, and 19-year-old Chardone Smidt who earned the silver medal last year in the 100m final at the SA U20 Championships.
Slayden van Staden will be hoping to build on his fine form in the men's race after winning the 150m event at the USN Simbine Classic Shootout last week.
He faces the likes of experienced sprinter Emile Erasmus, who set a 100m personal best of 10.01 back in 2018, and Mvuyo Moss who holds a 100m career best of 10.23.