There was joy for some of South Africa’s finest sports men and women on Wednesday when the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (Sascoc) announced the latest names who will be representing the country at the Paris Olympics next month.
In addition, Sascoc further revealed financial incentives for medallists.
Barry Hendricks, President of Sascoc, announced the list of athletes, stating: "This is a significant step in acknowledging the remarkable achievements of our athletes. This moment also marks a new milestone for our organisation as we continue our commitment to deliver a strong and competitive Team SA for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games".
The latest announcement features a diverse range of athletes who will compete in a multitude of events, including athletics, archery, cycling, fencing, hockey, rowing, rugby women's sevens, and triathlon.
This expansion has increased the representation to 15 codes, in addition to the athletes announced on 15 May.
Included in the announcement were the men's 4x100m and 4x400m relay squads, both of whom qualified at the World Relay Championships recently held in the Bahamas.
Significant other names added to Team SA include Johanita Scholtz, a double African Games gold medallist in badminton, Henri Schoeman, a triathlete, and John Smith, a rower.
Smith, who won gold in London 2012, will attend his fourth Olympics, which will equal the tally of most ever by a South African.
Schoeman will be at his third Games and is also a former medallist (bronze at Rio 2016).
The women's sevens rugby squad is a preliminary squad with the final team to be announced before the end of June cut-off.
🌟 Running towards glory! Our athletes are ready to sprint, throw, and jump into the spotlight at Paris 2024. Join us in cheering for Team SA’s athletic stars! 🌍💚 #TeamSA #Athletics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/DH2twjZgvx
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) June 20, 2024
NAMES RELEASED ON WEDNESDAY:
ATHLETICS (14)
Men: Shaun Maswangani (200m, 4x100m), Francois Prinsloo (discus), Elroy Galant (marathon), Akani Simbine (4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Benjamin Richardson (4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (4x400m), Lythe Pillay (4x400m), Zakithi Nene (4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m), Antonie Nortje (4x400m)
Reserves: Sinesipho Dambile, Adrian Swart
Management: Jean Verster, Hezekiel Sepeng, Paul Gorries, Maritz Coetzee, Samuel Sepeng, Mike Mbambani, John Smit, Neil Cornelius
ARCHERY (1)
Men: Wian Roux (recurve)
Second Team Announcement | Thread
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) June 20, 2024
🏹 On target for greatness! Meet #TeamSA's Wian Roux who is all set to hit the bullseye🎯
#ForMyCountry #Paris2024" pic.twitter.com/lqHQElg1MV
Coach/Manager: Patrick Roux
BADMINTON (1)
Women: Johanita Scholtz
Coach/Manager: Dillan Schaap
CYCLING (7)
Men: Ryan Gibbons (road), Jean Spies (track), Alan Hatherley (MTB)
Women: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (road), Tiffany Keep (road), Candice Lill (MTB), Miyanda Maseti (BMX)
Management: Ciska du Plessis-Austin, Nicole Shuttlewortth, Benedict Moqumo, Barry Austin, Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Tyler Klumper, Brigitte Mileson
FENCING (1)
Men: Harry Saner (epee)
Coach/Manager: Guennadi Tychler
HOCKEY (36)
Men: Daniel Bell, Dayaan Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Calvin Davis, Matthew Guise-Brown, Andrew Hobson, Keenan Horne, Gowan Jones, Ryan Julius, Tevin Kok, Zenani Kraai, Samkelo Mvimbi, Nqobile Ntuli, Bradley Sherwood, Nicholas Spooner, Jacques van Tonder
Reserves: Hendrik Kriek, Nduduza (Peabo) Lembethe
Management: Donavin George, Cheslin Chie, Siphesihle Ntuli, Devon van der Merwe
Women: Taheera Augousti, Quanita Bobbs, Stephanie Botha, Dirkie Chamberlain, Erin Christie, Kayla de Waal, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Marie Antoinette Louw, Ongeziwe Mali, Ntsopa Mokoena, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Hannah Pearce, Celia Seerane, Anelle van Deventer, Onthatile Zulu
Reserves: Aphiwe Dimba, Kayla Swarts
Management: Lynn Abrahamse, Giles Bonnet, Marcelle Keet, Wayne Lombard
ROWING (2)
Men: John Smith (pair), Christopher Baxter (pair)
Coach/Manager: Tiago Loureiro
RUGBY WOMEN SEVENS (16)
Women: Liske Lategan, Ayanda Malinga, Shona-Leah Weston, Kemisetso Baloyi, Zintle Mpupha, Sizophila Solontsi, Mathrin Simmers, Nadine Roos, Elizabeth Janse van Rensburg, Veroeshka Grain, Marlize de Bruin, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhabdre Dolf, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zandile Masuku, Eloise Web
Management: Mokgatjane Leseke, Renfred Dazel, Cecil Afrika, Obakeng Molopyane
TRIATHLON (3)
Men: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle
Women: Vicky van der Merwe
Management: Riana Robertson, Lindsey Parry
A final squad announcement will be made at a later date, before the final cut off at the end of June 2024.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES:
Sascoc has also announced further financial incentives for those athletes and teams that will earn medals in Paris.
For relays and team sports (Hockey and Rugby):
An amount of R 100 000 per athlete and the coach for a gold medal;
R 75 000 per athlete and the coach for a silver medal; and
R 50 000 per athlete and the coach for a bronze medal.
Boats (2 people), in line with the May incentives announced:
R 200 000 per athlete and R 100 000 for the coach for a gold medal;
R 100 000 per athlete and R 50 000 for the coach for a silver medal;
R 40 000 per athlete and R 20 000 for coach for a bronze medal.
Financial incentives announced last month for Team SA medallists at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
Athletes who win gold will be awarded R 400 000, with the coach receiving R 100 000.
Silver medallists will earn R 200 000 and R 50 000; while
Bronze medal pay-outs will be R 75 000 and R 25 000 for the athlete and coach, respectively.
UPDATED TEAM SA SQUAD FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS:
AQUATICS (9)
Men: Pieter Coetze (100m, 200m backstroke), Chad le Clos (100m butterfly), Matthew Sates (100m, 200m butterfly and 200m IM)
Women: Aimee Canny (200m freestyle), Kaylene Corbett (200m breaststroke), Erin Gallagher (100m butterfly), Rebecca Meder (200m IM), Tatjana Smith (100m, 200m breaststroke), Julia Vincent (diving, 3m springboard)
ARCHERY (1)
Men: Wian Roux (recurve)
Coach/Manager: Patrick Roux
ATHLETICS (19)
Men: Luxolo Adams (200m), Elroy Galant (marathon), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m), Shaun Maswangani (200m, 4x100m), Stephen Mokoka (marathon), Zakithi Nene (400m, 4x400m), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Antonie Nortje (4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m, 4x400m), Francois Prinsloo (discus), Benjamin Richardson (200m, 4x100m), Akani Simbine (100m, 4x100m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Wayde van Niekerk (400m, 4x400m), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Bayanda Walaza (4x100m), Adriaan Wildschutt (5000m, 10000m)
Women: Marione Fourie (100mH), Zeney Geldenhuys (400mH), Rogail Joseph (400mH), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Gerda Steyn (marathon), Irvette van Zyl (marathon)
Reserves: Sinesipho Dambile, Adrian Swart
Management: Jean Verster, Hezekiel Sepeng, Paul Gorries, Maritz Coetzee, Samuel Sepeng, Mike Mbambani, John Smit, Neil Cornelius
BADMINTON (1)
Women: Johanita Scholtz
Coach/Manager: Dillan Schaap
CANOEING (4)
Men: Andrew Birkett (kayak sprint), Hamish Love more (kayak sprint)
Women: Tiffany Koch (kayak sprint), Esti Olivier (kayak sprint)
Management: Nkosi Mzolo (coach), Janet Simpkins (manager)
CYCLING (7)
Men: Ryan Gibbons (road), Jean Spies (track), Alan Hatherley (MTB)
Women: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (road), Tiffany Keep (road), Candice Lill (MTB), Miyanda Maseti (BMX)
Management: Ciska du Plessis-Austin, Nicole Shuttlewortth, Benedict Moqumo, Barry Austin, Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Tyler Klumper, Brigitte Mileson
GYMNASTICS (1)
Women: Caitlin Rooskrantz (artistic)
Coach/Manager: Ilse Pelser (coach)
HOCKEY (36)
Men: Daniel Bell, Dayaan Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Calvin Davis, Matthew Guise-Brown, Andrew Hobson, Keenan Horne, Gowan Jones, Ryan Julius, Tevin Kok, Zenani Kraai, Samkelo Mvimbi, Nqobile Ntuli, Bradley Sherwood, Nicholas Spooner, Jacques van Tonder
Reserves: Hendrik Kriek, Nduduza (Peabo) Lembethe
Management: Donavin George, Cheslin Chie, Siphesihle Ntuli, Devon van der Merwe
Women: Taheera Augousti, Quanita Bobbs, Stephanie Botha, Dirkie Chamberlain, Erin Christie, Kayla de Waal, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Marie Antoinette Louw, Ongeziwe Mali, Ntsopa Mokoena, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Hannah Pearce, Celia Seerane, Anelle van Deventer, Onthatile Zulu
Reserves: Aphiwe Dimba, Kayla Swarts
Management: Lynn Abrahamse, Giles Bonnet, Marcelle Keet, Wayne Lombard
FENCING (1)
Men: Harry Saner (epee)
Coach/Manager: Guennadi Tychler
ROWING (2)
Men: John Smith (pair), Christopher Baxter (pair)
Coach/Manager: Tiago Loureiro
RUGBY WOMEN SEVENS (16)
Women: Liske Lategan, Ayanda Malinga, Shona-Leah Weston, Kemisetso Baloyi, Zintle Mpupha, Sizophila Solontsi, Mathrin Simmers, Nadine Roos, Elizabeth Janse van Rensburg, Veroeshka Grain, Marlize de Bruin, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhabdre Dolf, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zandile Masuku, Eloise Web
Management: Mokgatjane Leseke, Renfred Dazel, Cecil Afrika, Obakeng Molopyane
SPORT CLIMBING (4)
Men: Joshua Bruyns (speed climbing), Mel Janse van Rensburg (lead & boulder)
Women: Aniya Holder (speed climbing), Lauren Mukheibir (lead & boulder)
Management: Dean Bruyns (manager), John-David Muller (official coach)
SURFING (3)
Men: Matthew McGillivray, Jordy Smith
Women: Sarah Ann Baum
Management: Christopher Bond (coach), Rezar De Nicker (coach, manager)
TRIATHLON (3)
Men: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle
Women: Vicky van der Merwe
Management: Riana Robertson, Lindsey Parry
WRESTLING (1)
Men: Nicholas Steyn (92kg)
Coach/Manager: Jan Roets