The event has attached some of the top track athletes in the country, and the men’s 100m, in particular, is set to be a humdinger.

Confirmed athletes for the 100m sprint include the likes of Clarence Munyai, Thando Roto, Simon Magakwe, Emile Erasmus, while the local hopes will be on Gideon Trotter.

Sadly the name of Wayde van Niekerk does not appear among the athletes for the men’s 400m, and the cut off for entries was on Thursday.

Recently Van Niekerk made his return to the track more than a year after sustaining his a serious knee injury which led to his missing out on the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Van Niekerk competed in the men's 400m at the Free State Championships, however, his camp dismissed his participation as nothing more than testing the waters.

The athletics at the Mangaung Athletics track starts at 17:15, and ends in time for the Pro14 game between the Toyota Cheetahs and Dragons at the Toyota Stadium. One ticket gets entry into both events.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport