The world of sport in 2020 will be dominated by the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which gets underway in August, but already the organisers have things in hand.
However, for South Africa, the things may be tough, despite high expectations.
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (Sascoc) difficulties, and the lack of money for supporting the team, may hamper the drive for medals.
South Africa’s hopes always ride on athletics, and that’s where the problems may start.
Two guaranteed medallists may not take part, for different reasons. Caster Semenya’s appeal will be heard again in February, but the chances don’t appear good that she’ll win against the World Athletics, as the IAAF is now known, the decision to impose restrictions on women’s events.
The other is Wayde van Niekerk, he’ll probably be fit again, but whether he’ll be the runner he was when he broke the 400m world record remains to be seen.
South Africa does have other hopes though, particularly in the long jump and the sprints.
Swimming is going through a transition phase, with Cameron van der Burgh retired, and Chad le Clos nearing the end of his career.
But there are some good prospects in the wings, such as Zane Waddell, Erin Gallagher and others.
The rowers aren’t as certain of medals as last time out, but along with canoeing still have high hopes.
Sports like triathlon, surfing, rugby sevens and golf could also produce silverware.
ATHLETICS
On the local running front, Athletics South Africa is hoping to host three Grand Prix meetings in April, before the national champs, to help the athlete’s complete qualification for Tokyo, and test their preparations.
The big names will then travel to Europe for the Diamond League season.
The big three marathons are all scheduled for the same times as usual, with the two Oceans in April, the Comrades in June and the Soweto Marathon in November.
Last year’s big story, Gerda Steyn, is hoping to qualify for the Olympic marathon, so she’ll probably be less focussed on defending her Comrades title.
The Dusi Canoe Marathon will take place a little later than usual this year, at the end of February, volunteers worked hard to help the river recover from the caustic soda spill in August last year.
The later date comes after the first big rains, which lessens the chances of high Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels, so Dusi guts might not be quite so much of an issue!
CRICKET
The Proteas are playing England at the moment. They will welcome Australia for a short tour featuring 3 T20’s and 3 ODI’s in February, and then they will tour the West Indies in July, for two tests and 5 T20’s.
That breakdown is because both teams will be preparing for this year’s big international tournament, the T20 World Cup, in Australia in October-November.
South Africa hopes they are guarded, after a tumultuous few months for the federation, and repeated disappointments in the past.
The women’s version is being played next month, also in Australia, although the Protea’s women are much improved, they are still not expected to be a real challenge to the world’s best teams, such as England and Australia.
RUGBY
South Africa’s rugby world champions are set to defend their Rugby Championship title. The fixtures aren’t confirmed yet, but there will be six rounds, and the New Zealand-Australia clashes will double up as Bledisloe Cup matches as usual.
Super Rugby gets underway on the January 31, It’s the final year of the 15 team conference system. From next year, with the Sunwolves dropping out, the competition returns to a 14 team round-robin format.
SOCCER
We’re in the midst of a soccer season that will culminate in May for most leagues around the world.
European teams will then be focussing on Euro 2020, taking place in various countries in the summer break.
Bafana will have qualifiers later in the year for Afcon 2021, against Sao Tome, Ghana and Sudan.
CYCLING’
Cycling has a twin focus in an Olmpic year for the road riders especially. The Grand Tours are always a priority, and South Africa’s interest will be focussed on NTT Pro Cycling, as the Dimension Data team is now known.
They will be taking part in all the events, including the Tour de France, and will be targeting additional stage wins, and perhaps some of the minor jerseys.
South Africa still has road pedigree in the likes of Daryl Impey in the Olympic road race.
MOTORSPORT
Is it going to be all about Lewis Hamilton again? All three big teams, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red bull, showed they can win races in the latter stages of this season.
Many are wondering if Max Verstappen will become a real contender, and the other youngsters, Charles le Clerc has been challenging with Ferrari since his arrival.
The drivers’ race will have added interest in that nearly all the drivers’ contracts expire this year, just ahead of an introduction of a raft of new regulations.
There are two new tracks – the Dutch Grand Prix returns at Zandvoort, and the first-ever Vietnam GP takes place at a brand new track in Hanoi.
There’ll be much South Africa interest in MotoGP this year, with Brad Binder promoted to the big time at the Red Bull KTM Factory team. His brother Darryn will continue to compete in Moto 3.
TENNIS
Tennis will likely be more of the same. Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will probably be the main threats in all the Majors, again, Roger Federer is still a great opponent for them.
The young guns, led by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Medvedev may provide a bigger challenge with the experience they’ve gained. They are being challenged by the next Gen players – Denis Shapavalov, Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The women’s tour is much less predictable, and although Ashleigh Barty is number one, and Serena Williams still promises to challenge, despite age and injury concerns, there are opportunities for the likes of Bianca Andreescu and Belinda Bencic to make their mark.
GOLF
South Africa’s golfers didn’t really live up to their potential last year. There are still many playing their trade on both the European and US Tours.
Erik van Rooyen has been promising to break through to the big time all year, but young stars like Brandon Stone, Dylan Fritelli and Christiaan Bezuidenhout will hope to make a name for themselves.
Justin Harding and Branden Grace will hope that things go the way they have in the past too.
The Majors take place in April-May-June and July, with the Olympic competition to follow a couple of weeks after The Open.
