The 18th World Athletics Relays will be staged in Gaborone this weekend, running from Saturday 3 May to Sunday 4 May, with qualification places for the World Athletics Championships on the line.
Team South Africa head into the two-day event boosted by the return of star sprinter Akani Simbine, who has been cleared to compete after a brief injury concern earlier in the week.
Simbine had raised fears after slowing down during the 100m final at a meet in Pretoria, but his coach has confirmed the decision was purely precautionary and the athlete is ready to race.
South Africa arrive as defending champions in the men’s 4x100m relay following their breakthrough gold in Guangzhou last year, a victory achieved by a settled quartet that included Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, Bayanda Walaza and Sinesipho Dambile.
The same core group is expected to form the backbone of the team again, with coaches highlighting their strong chemistry built through repeated appearances at major international competitions.
On the women’s side, captain Marlie Viljoen has set a target of reaching the final, stressing that championship races often open the door to unexpected medal opportunities.
Team leadership is also viewing the relays as part of long-term preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, using the competition to build depth and experience under pressure.
High-performance manager Hezekiel Sepeng pointed to strong global opposition, including the United States, Jamaica, Great Britain and Japan, noting that relay events remain highly unpredictable.
South Africa, who secured silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be aiming to convert consistency into another podium finish as they defend their world title in Botswana.