Five new caps were included in the South Africa weightlifting team for the African Championships that will take place in Casablanca, Morocco, from August 24 to 30.
They are Chavonn Malgas of Eastern Province, who will compete in die women's 53kg division, Luwellyne Phillips (WP, 56kg), Lyle du Plooy (WP, 62kg), Nkuthalo Tshali (WP, 69kg) and William Ainslie (Gauteng, 105+kg).
Malgas, Du Plooy and Tshali said they were "over the moon and extremely happy" with their inclusion.
The 18-year-old Malgas said she knew she was going to make the side one or other tine, but she did not expect it to happen so soon.
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| 'I'm confident of one or two big upsets' | National coach Aveenash Pandoo said he was excited with the new talent in the side.
"Egypt and Tunisia are always going to be difficult to beat, but I'm confident of one or two big upsets," Pandoo said.
He also admitted that plans for a weightlifting academy - a first for South Africa - were on track.
South Africa team:
Women:
48kg: Portia Vries (WP);
53kg: Chavonn Malgas (EP);
58kg: Mona Pretorius (EP);
75kg: Babalwa Ndleleni (WP).
Men:
56kg: Alphonso Adonis (WP), Luwellyne Phillips (WP);
62kg: Willem Phillips (WP), Lyle du Plooy (WP);
69kg: Nkuthalo Tshali (WP);
77kg: Stephen Cupido (WP);
85kg: Darryn Anthony (EP);
105+kg: William Ainslie (Gauteng). - Sapa
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