Some of Athletics South Africa's smaller provinces delivered in spectacular fashion on Saturday, with Anele Matsoso and Ithuteng Khiba winning the men's and women's races at the ASA Junior Cross Country Trials hosted at the Rob Ferreira High School in White River, Mpumalanga.
In the Under-20 women's 6km race, Khiba of Athletics Transkei, earned victory in 20:45.
She finished six seconds ahead of runner-up Lara Stander, who completed the three-lap contest in 20:51, with Lara van der Merwe taking third position in 20:55 for Athletics Gauteng North (AGN).
In the U20 men's race, Matsoso triumphed in 24:04, picking up the win for Athletics Vaal Triangle. He had to dig deep, however, in a tight battle. Tshepang Tshivhula (AGN) was just two seconds back in 24:06 while Western Province athlete Beautin van der Westhuizen, grabbed third spot in 24:07.
The national junior trials, held in conjunction with the SA Schools Cross Country Championships, will be used to select the South African teams for the U20 men's and women's races to be held at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida in January.
