World leading 400m hurdler LJ van Zyl will line-up in his final race before next month's IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on Friday night.
Van Zyl took a short hiatus from the track after his unbeaten streak this season came to an end at the New York Diamond League meeting a little over a month ago.
He finished fourth in New York, clocking 49.07 seconds for his slowest performance of the year.
“I am rested and ready for the second part of my season,” Van Zyl said on Thursday.
“The break did me well and the hard work has been done.
“Now I just need to stay healthy and focus on Korea.”
Despite the break he still boasts the four fastest times in the world this year in his specialist event.
The rest of the chasing pack, however, has narrowed the gap with three Americans dipping under 48 seconds at the US trials in Eugene, Oregon last month.
Jeshua Anderson finished first at the trials, clocking 47.93
seconds, with second-placed Bershawn Jackson recording the same time and Angelo Taylor finishing third in 47.94.
Van Zyl will face the US trio in Monaco but will also have compatriot Cornel Fredericks to spur him on.
He said he had not given much thought to the performances of his rivals and would stick to the tried and tested recipe he had followed this year.
“I will do what I've been doing the whole year and focus on my own race and ensure I do not make any mistakes,” Van Zyl said.
Fredericks has also enjoyed a good season, recording a personal best time of 48.14 at the national championships in Durban in April.
He has qualified for the global championships, along with Van Zyl, and will hope to produce a strong showing before the international showpiece.
Meanwhile, African women's javelin throw record holder Sunette Viljoen is set to continue her gradual climb towards last year's record breaking form.
Viljoen recorded a season's best heave of 61.74 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Paris two weeks ago.
Her throw was, however, overshadowed by two-time world silver medallist Christina Obergfoll's season leading throw of 68.01m.
The South African will be up against Obergfoll and world record holder Barbora Spotakova in Monaco.
Also competing in Monaco is South African 3000m steeplechase record holder Ruben Ramolefi who delivered a strong performance in Paris.
Ramloefi finished seventh against a world-class field in the French capital, clocking eight minutes, 14.36 seconds (8:14.36).
He set the national record of 8:11.63 in Monaco two years ago and will hope for a repeat performance on Friday. – Sapa