The first squad of athletes to represent South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics has been announced, with just 57 days to go before the Games start in Japan.
Representatives across seven codes were named -- athletics, climbing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey (men and women), sailing and surfing - on Thursday.
Notable omissions from the squad include 400m runner Wayde van Niekerk, middle distance star Caster Semenya, and surfer Jordy Smith, but they still have time to qualify.
Van Niekerk, who was out of international action for over two years after injuring his knee in a touch rugby game, is currently in the United States and looking to qualify for the 200m or 400m events.
Semenya, who is still waiting on a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights, was banned from competing in the 800m event due to World Athletics regulations on testosterone levels. She can still qualify for the 5,000m event.
Sprinter Akani Simbine is among the athletics contingent, along with Clarence Munyai and Dominique Scott, while star road cyclist Daryl Impey is also included.
"After all the challenges the world at large faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in the postponement of the Olympics, it's a very exciting time for us as an Olympic Committee and it feels incredible to be announcing our first names of Team South Africa," SASCOC President Barry Hendricks said.
"Congratulations to the selected team members and all your resilience and hard work has paid off and we strongly believe that the team will bring sporting pride to the whole of South Africa.
"SASCOC wouldn't have arrived at this crucial stage of announcing the team if it wasn't for the help from our sponsors and partners who continue to render us undivided support to prepare and deliver our teams to such renowned multi-coded sporting events.
"The funding from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Lotteries Commission also went a long way in supporting the athletes. Thank you very much to all our partners and sponsors who include: Mr Price Sport, Veldskoen, Planet Fitness and Olympic Solidarity with more sponsors that have been concluded on and to be announced very soon."
South Africa returned 10 medals at the Games in Brazil in 2016. London 2012 yielded six medals for them.
Athletics
Akani Simbine, Clarence Munyai, Antonio Alkana, Cheswill Johnson, Ruswahl Samaai, Rocco van Rooyen, Jason van Rooyen, Stephen Mokoka, Desmond Mokgobu, Elroy Gelant, Wayne Snyman, Wenda Nel, Dominique Scott, Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl.
The athletes for the men's 4X100m relay and men's 4X400m relay are still to be determined by Athletics South Africa.
Climbing
Erin Sterkenburg, Chris Cosser and James Barnes (coach).
Cycling
Johan Spies, Charlene du Preez, David Maree, Daryl Impey, Ryan Gibbons, Nicholas Dlamini, Ashleigh Pasio-Moolman, Carla Oberholzer, Alan Hatherly, Candice Lill, Alex Limberg, Elton Davids (manager and BMX coach), Ian Goetham (road coach), Moosa Classen (track mechanic), Jean-Pierre Jacobs (mountain bike coach), Carl Pasio (road coach), Brigette Mileson (track coach Manager), Gary Blem (road mechanic).
Gymnastics
Caitlin Rooskrantz and Ilse Laing (coach).
Women's hockey
Quanita Bobbs, Erin Christie, Lisa Deetlefs, Lilian Du Plessis, Nicole Erasmus, Tarryn Glasby, Robyn Johnson, Charne Maddocks, Lerato Mahole, Phumelela Mbande, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Tarryn Potts, Celia Seerane, Nomnikelo Veto, Onthatile Zulu, Gillian Doig (manager), Robin van Ginkel (head coach), Nkuliso Zondi (assistant coach) and Taren Naidoo (video analyst).
Men's hockey
Erasmus Pieterse, Timothy Drummond, Austin Smith, Mohamed Mea, Matthew Guise-Brown, Jethro Eustice, Nduduzo Lembethe, Taine Paton, Nicholas Spooner, Clinton Panther, Samkelo Mvimbi, Abdud Cassiem, Mustaphaa Cassiem, Nqobile Ntuli, Keenan Horne, Tevin Kok, Martin van Staden (manager), Garreth Ewing (head coach), Siphesihle Ntuli (assistant coach) and Ashlin Freddy (analyst).
Sailing
Alex Burger, Benjamin Daniel and Asenathi Jim (coach).
Surfing
Bianca Buitendag and Greg Emslie (coach)