TUESDAY, 6.30PM:
A CONTINGENT of seven South Africans will compete in the 1998 African Weightlifting Championships in Algiers from the beginning of June. The competition will be unique in that female weightlifters will also be allowed to compete.
The inclusion of two women, Bronwyn Gertse and Loriaan Daniels, in the South African side may be a taste of things to come, as the 1999 African Games in Johannesburg and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney will also host women’s weightlifting for the first time.
The men’s team is made up of 1997 silver medallist Henk Booysen, Willem Phillips, Ryan Erasmus, Greg Gerts, and Jacques Francis.
The team will leave for Algiers on May 29, and will compete in the competition on June 1, 2 and 5.
SPORT BRIEFS
ASA MARATHON SQUAD BOMBS OUT
THE MARATHON squad announced by Athletics South Africa on Wednesday for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in September caused quite a stir after it was discovered that a member of the squad, national marathon championship bronze medallist Ren du Plessis is unavailable for the squad. Du Plessis said that she had never been informed of her inclusion in the squad. “Nobody’s phoned me. This is the first I’ve heard of it,” she said. Du Plessis has already committed herself to running the Comrades Marathon on June 16 and, according to ASA regulations, cannot also compete in the Commonwealth Games.
GILDER GETS SA-A CALL-UP
NATALIAN Gary Gilder, 24, has been called up to the SA-A cricket side to tour Sri Lanka from July 17, to replace Northerns left-arm seamer Greg Smith, who has withdrawn from the squad with a broken arm.
SMALL TO GOLDEN LIONS?
GOLDEN Lions Rugby Union CE Johan Prinsloo said on Tuesday that he has met with James Small’s agent, and that the possibility of Small moving back to Johannesburg was discussed. This comes after Small’s apparent sacking by WP coach Alan Solomons earlier this week. Small will hold a news conference on Friday to announce his future in the sport.
HOWLEY SKIPPER FOR WALES TOUR
SCRUMHALF Robert Howley was confirmed on Tuesday as the skipper of the Welsh tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa.
MARKGRAAFF STAYING
ANDR MARKGRAAFF, former Springbok coach, on Tuesday denied media reports that he might be quitting as coach of Griqualand West.
ROBBERT’S RECORD CONFIRMED
THE IAAF has confirmed the world junior shot put record of 20,39 metres by South Africa’s Janus Robberts.
TWO INJURED BEFORE FIRST IRISH MATCH
IRELAND’S British Lions prop Paul Wallace and lock Malcolm O’Kelly have been ruled out of Saturday’s South African tour opener against Boland in Wellington, because of a groin strain and knee injury respectively.
LIVERPOOL HOT FOR SA-BORN DUNDEE
SOUTH African-born striker Sean Dundee is expected to undergo a medical evaluation on Wednesday to seal a 2-million move to English Premier League side Liverpool.