South Africa’s road to the 2026 Commonwealth Games has hit an unexpected hurdle after rising middle-distance star Luan Munnik was dramatically removed from the national team following an alleged positive test for EPO, one of sport’s most notorious performance-enhancing substances.
The announcement landed like a false start pistol shot moments before the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) unveiled its 112-member squad for Glasgow on Wednesday evening.
Munnik, 26, who has been one of the country’s fastest-rising distance runners was initially selected for the athletics team. Hours before the official squad announcement, however, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed that he had been provisionally suspended after testing positive for EPO at the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year.
The AIU issued a notice of allegation on 24 June, citing violations under Articles 2.1 and 2.2 relating to the presence and use of a prohibited substance.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Johannes Lodewicus Munnik (South Africa) for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO)
Details here: https://t.co/AlX8kY8x2Y pic.twitter.com/yqeZe2etBY— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) June 24, 2026
For South African athletics, the timing could hardly have been more damaging. Munnik’s meteoric rise had captured attention across the local athletics landscape. His performances this season included personal bests across multiple distances and an impressive seventh-place finish in the men’s 3,000m final at the World Indoor Championships.
Now those achievements sit beneath a cloud as thick as a Glasgow winter sky.
EPO, or erythropoietin, artificially boosts red blood cell production and enhances oxygen delivery to muscles. In endurance sport it has long been viewed as a shortcut through the pain cave, a turbocharger hidden beneath the bonnet of human performance.
Under World Athletics’ strict liability rules, responsibility rests with the athlete for any prohibited substance found in their body unless evidence proves otherwise.
Munnik has indicated he will appeal the decision and may request analysis of his B-sample. Should the finding be confirmed, he would face disciplinary proceedings before the AIU Tribunal.
“I want to be clear: I have never knowingly taken any prohibited substance. I am contesting these findings,” Munnik said in a statement.
At present, no coaches or support staff have been implicated, though questions are already swirling around the athlete’s training environment.
The controversy has inevitably overshadowed the selection of one of South Africa’s strongest Commonwealth Games teams in recent years.
The athletics squad will still be spearheaded by sprint king Akani Simbine, rising stars Lythe Pillay and Prudence Sekgodiso, hurdler Marione Fourie and in-form road runner Tayla Kavanagh.
Another notable absentee is sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza. The 20-year-old recently clocked a blistering 9.94 seconds in Ostrava, the fastest South African 100m time this year, though his qualifying campaign was disrupted by a persistent hamstring injury.
Away from the track, swimming legend Chad le Clos headlines Team SA’s medal ambitions. The veteran is chasing a remarkable 19th Commonwealth Games medal, while Pieter Coetzé and Lara van Niekerk aim to return to the top step of the podium after their Birmingham triumphs.
Sascoc president Barry Hendricks urged the team to embrace both performance and responsibility.
“It goes without saying that we have the utmost confidence in the squad being delivered to Glasgow to fly our flag high,” said Hendricks.
“I always say to athletes that their role when representing their country is as much being good ambassadors as it is being great competitors. All we ask of from the team is that they do their best, and the results will take care of themselves.”
Former Proteas netball captain Bongi Msomi will serve as chef de mission.
With Glasgow now less than a month away, Team SA’s medal hopes remain alive and well. Yet the Munnik saga serves as a sharp reminder that elite sport can sprint from celebration to scrutiny in the blink of an eye.
Team SA Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 (112 Athletes)
Athletics: Marlie Viljoen, Prudence Sekgodiso, Karabo More, Tayla Kavanagh, Marione Fourie, Rogail Joseph, Jo-Ane du Plessis, Gift Leotlela, Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, Cheswill Johnson, Mvuyo Moss, Sinesipho Dambile, Mthi Mthimkulu, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay, Maxime Chaumeton, Tshepo Tshite, Jacobus le Roux, Sabelo Dhlamini, Aiden Smith, Douw Smit, Kyle Rademeyer.
Para Athletics: Sheryl James, Liezel Gouws, Yane van der Merwe, Jaco Smit, Collen Mahlalela, Masala Makatu, Nicolaas Strydom.
Bowls & Para Bowls: Bridget Calitz, Jacquelyn Janse van Rensburg, Elinah Muvhango, Wayne Rittmuller, Jason Evans, Paul Anthony, Nozipho Schroeder, Keith Orrell, Gareth Rees-Gibbs, Jarid James.
Boxing: Thandolwethu Mathiba, Samukelisiwe Ncube, Simamkele Damesi, Masibulele Sigwela.
Cycling: S’annara Grove, Jean Spies.
Gymnastics: Caitlin Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Zelme Daries, Buhle Nhleko, Karma Visagie, Daniel Maclean.
Judo: Donné Breytenbach, Skye Knoester, Thomas-Laszlo Breytenbach, Timothy Meuwsen.
Netball: Khanyisa Chawane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmere van der Berg, Karla Pretorius, Jamie van Wyk, Karla Victor, Sanmarie Visser.
Swimming & Para Swimming: Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson, Kayleen Corbet, Lara van Niekerk, Hannah Pearse, Caitlin de Lange, Hannah Robertson, Georgia Nel, Duné Coetzee, Olivia Nel, Pieter Coetzé, Ruard van Renen, Michael Houlie, Chris Smith, Calvyn Justus, Chad le Clos, Jarden Eaton, Guy Brooks, Kris Mihaylov, Danika Vyncke, Alani Ferreira, Christian Sadie, Nathan Hendricks.
Weightlifting: Johanni Taljaard, Anneke Spies-Burger, Laryne Jefferies, Cheyenne Smith, William Swart, Nicolaas du Plooy, Christoffel Reeder, Jon-Antohein Phillips, Zachary-Paul Snyman.
Wheelchair Basketball 3×3: Aviwe Ngoni, Michelle Moganedi, Asive Gilifile, Ongezwa Hagu, Zakhele Shelembe, Shane Williams, Xola Yalezo, Simanga Mbhele.
