Some thrilling contests are on the cards at the Hezekiel Sepeng Invitational when the inaugural World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting is held in Potchefstroom on Tuesday night.
We take a look at five key events to watch on the main programme which starts at 5.30pm.
100m men
This should be the race of the meeting, with a world-class line-up entering the blocks.
National record holder Akani SImbine will be the headline act as he looks to prove he is still the fastest man in the country as he opens his 2026 season.
He will have to hit his straps, however, against 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, as well as former U20 World Championships medallists Benji Richardson and Bradley Nkoana.
Long jump men
A hard-fought battle is expected from a field that features five men who have cleared the eight-metre mark in their careers.
Former world champion Luvo Manyonga will look to continue building on his impressive form after jumping 8.11m on the international indoor circuit this season.
But the SA record holder won’t have it all his own way against the likes of Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jovan van Vuuren and Namibian national record holder Lionel Coetzee, who both hold personal bests well beyond 8.20m.
Javelin throw women
This might be a battle between two athletes, but it should produce some big throws.
Local favourite Jo-Ane du Plessis and Czech athlete Nikola Ogrodnikova, who both earned medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, will spearhead the line-up.
Other athletes will be aiming to spring a surprise, including the likes of Jana van Schalkwyk and French athlete Jona Aigouy, but they will probably need to produce career bests to put up a fight.
800m women
Prudence Sekgodiso hasn’t had her best start to the 2026 season, but she will be eager to find some form in Potchefstroom.
The former world indoor champion will turn out as the favourite, but a few athletes will be hoping to cause an upset, including the likes of Aviwe Hoboloshe and Kenyan athlete Caren Chepchirchir, who have both run under 2:02.00 in their careers.
100m hurdles women
National record holder Marione Fourie will enter the blocks as the firm favourite, but some younger athletes will be eager to challenge SA’s best sprint hurdler.
The field also includes junior star Tumi Ramokgopa, who has gone under 13 seconds this year, as well as youth prospects Megan Nieman and Megan Maree who have been in superb form this season.
* Featured image of Akani Simbine by Cecilia van Bers
