South Africa’s Olympic rowing squad announced

South Africa’s Olympic rowers are in the final stages of preparation before heading off to the Tokyo games. The squad has been announced by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) along with the athletes in rugby sevens, athletics, sailing, water polo, skateboarding, surfing, swimming, tennis and triathlon. 

The rowers will leave South Africa for Japan on 30 June.

South Africa has qualified two boats – a men’s heavyweight four and a men’s heavyweight pair. The team of four will comprise Sandro Torrente, Kyle Schoonbee, John Smith and Lawrence Brittain, while the pair will be Jake Green and
Luc Daffarn. The head coach is Roger Barrow and the assistant coach is Marco Galeone.


“We’ve had to isolate ourselves due to the high Covid infection rates in Gauteng, which means we have come back to Lesotho, where we spend a large part of our training each year due to the altitude,” says Barrow. “This wasn’t our plan because it’s so cold here at this time of the year… which has brought its own struggles. But nothing that we can’t overcome. We’re into big loads and big training now before we leave for Tokyo.”

The squad will arrive in Tokyo 18 days before heading to the Olympic Village for the final week. 

“We have gone with the approach similar to what the Springboks did, going to Tokyo really early, trying to acclimatise because the heat there is huge – up to 35 degrees and 90 percent humidity, which is a far cry from what we are experiencing in Lesotho.

“In addition, we will have to overcome jet lag and then obviously the change in diet and adapting to a foreign culture. So it’s going to be tough for us to adjust, but the team is resilient, we will fortunately have enough time to do so.”

Barrow says the team’s performance would not be possible without partnerships.

“We are extremely grateful to our corporate sponsors who have really been our lifeline in the run-up to the Olympics, and who will carry on supporting us throughout the games,” he says. “We’ve had some funding from Sascoc and the National Lottery, for which we are very grateful, but the lion’s share of our budget has been taken care of by RMB, who have literally kept us afloat. The rowers take great confidence in the fact that we have a partner so that they can focus on their jobs, which is to row.”

On Covid lockdowns, Barrow says the team has been really good at adjusting. 

“We have been very lucky in that we were able to work around the Covid lockdowns to keep up a rigorous training routine for the squad,” he says. “This was done by installing home gyms at each rower’s home and linking up virtually to train together. Our focus now is on the goal ahead.

“I think we’ve all taken huge strain. Covid has pushed us into these bubbles, which, when you’re on training camp, actually allows you to get more done. But it also has mental recoil effects, just keeping guys sane or staying on the path. I have mixed feelings on it and will only be able to reflect on it truly once it’s over. You always striving, pushing so hard to be faster and be the best. At the moment we are pushing for the goal and everyone is firmly invested. Once the Olympics are over we will have time to reflect on what impacted us and what didn’t.

“We’re a nation used to overcoming obstacles and I look forward to Team South Africa’s performance at the games.”

In reaction to the announcement Alison Badenhorst, Chief Marketing Officer at RMB, commented: “We recognise and celebrate Roger and the RMB National Squad’s commitment and courage. At a time when many athletes’ hopes and dreams unravelled, they inspired hope and optimism. It has been a privilege to support these incredible athletes on their journey to Tokyo and wish them all the best.”