SASCOC reveals Team SA flag bearers for 2025 World Games

Team SA will officially begin its participation in the World Games in Chengdu on Thursday, as the event kicks off in the south-western Chinese city of 20 million people.

South Africa will join over a hundred nations in the opening ceremony parade, with archer Hendre Verhoef and orienteering athlete Sarah Wimberley proudly carrying the national flag.

The two flagbearers, Verhoef (17) and Wimberley (22), are among 20 athletes representing South Africa across eight sporting codes.

Multi-code event

The 12th edition of The World Games, a multi-sport event featuring disciplines not included in the Olympic Games, takes place every four years.

This year marks South Africa’s ninth consecutive appearance at the event, with the nation having earned 20 medals across its previous eight participations.

The 2025 edition runs from 7 to 17 August.

Both Hendre Verhoef and Sarah Wimberley hold the top national rankings in their respective disciplines and have previously represented South Africa on the international stage.

Verhoef will be wearing green and gold for the eighth time, while Wimberley has already participated in two Junior World Orienteering Championships and two World Orienteering Championships.

Words of encouragement

SASCOC president Barry Hendricks congratulated both Team SA athletes on being chosen as flag bearers for the opening ceremony and shared words of encouragement as they prepare to represent the country.

In congratulating both Team SA athletes on their appointment as flag bearers at the opening ceremony, the president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks, offered words of encouragement to the pair.

“This will become a life memory for both of you. It is indeed an honour for you to represent your country on the international stage, but carrying the flag adds to the enormity of the achievement. It’s important that you soak up the atmosphere and carry the energy of the ceremony into your competition.

“There is a huge audience watching The World Games and you have done all the hard work in earning your Team SA colours. Enjoy the moment and go out there and do your best on this big international stage,” he added.

Verhoef and Septimus Cilliers get Team SA’s campaign started when they take part in the men’s target compound qualification, with the knockout stages beginning on Friday.

TEAM SA SQUAD

ARCHERY (3)

Men: Hendre Verhoef, Septimus Cilliers

Women: Jeanine Van Kradenburg

Management: Gerda Roux

CANOEING (2)

Men: Hamish Lovemore

Women: Saskia Hockly

Management: Nkosi Mzolo

KICKBOXING (5)

Men: Ahmad Mahomed, Matthew Gething, Muhammad Mia

Women: Leanne Van der Mescht, Saentone Louw

Management: Aslam Mahomed, Shabnum Mia

MUAYTHAI (1)

Men: Damian Collins

Managemet: Brett Clarke

ORIENTEERING (1)

Women: Sarah Wimberley

Management: Garry Morrison

POWERLIFTING (2)

Men: Harold Pietersen

Women: Megan Faul

Management: Andrew Ludick, Rodney Anthony

SPORT CLIMBING (4)

Men: Joshua Bruyns, John-David Muller

Women: Aniya Holder, Tegwen Oates

Management: Dean Bruyns

SQUASH (2)

Men: Dewald van Niekerk

Women: Hayley Ward

Management: Jean-Pierre Brits