Johannesburg, South Africa – 23 July 2026 – The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) today announced the two athletes that will lead Team SA at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games officially get under way in Glasgow on Thursday, 23 July.
Bridget Calitz (lawn bowls) and Shaun Williams (3×3 wheelchair basketball) will respectively carry the country’s flag and specially designed baton in what is South Africa’s ninth Commonwealth Games since returning from isolation. The Commonwealth Games are making a return to Glasgow after the city previously hosted in 2014.
Calitz, has been playing lawn bowls for over 20 years and represented Team SA at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where she helped bag Team SA a silver medal in the Fours. Her dream to become SA singles champion was achieved in 2025, after being runner-up in 2019. A mother to a son and wife to fellow lawn bowler Jaydee, the 28-year-old has many years ahead of excellence and achievement ahead of her as she leads the younger generation into a sport once viewed as being for an older competitor.
Williams is a shining example of someone who has triumphed over severe adversity, He has accumulated 50 caps for the national wheelchair basketball team, of which he is the captain. He had both legs amputated at the age of two due to a life-threatening illness and was first introduced to wheelchair sports at school in Cape Town. A player at the peak of his powers, he has all the attributes to inspire young and old in Glasgow.
In congratulating both Team SA athletes on their appointment, the President of SASCOC, Mr Barry Hendricks, had this to say: “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 and the Commonwealth Games baton adds to the enormity of the achievement. It is important that you soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the moment that will forever be part of your personal memory from these games”.
The Chef de Mission (delegation leader) for Team SA is retired national netball captain Bongiwe (Bongi) Msomi. “I know what an honour it is to carry the South African flag, as I had the privilege to perform that duty at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It’s an occasion that you’ll always remember. I encourage you to look around, make friends, and feel proud. You have been selected for a reason, and you have all our support,” she said.
Team SA has a squad of 112 athletes competing across 10 sports, which include para-athlete involvement in six codes, and while the program has been scaled down from previous Games’, there’s still a rich history and honour attached.
Hendricks added a message to the whole team that will part of the ceremony and the competition that, “there is a huge audience watching the Commonwealth 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 stage. Being part of Team SA makes you an ambassador for the country. Compete strongly and know that you have the backing of the country behind you.”
The 2026 Commonwealth Games take place from 23 July to 2nd August. Glasgow represents a happy return for Team SA. It was there, in 2014, that they secured 40 medals, including 13 gold, the joint most at any Commonwealth Games since returning from isolation in 1994.
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