Van Niekerk will be competing at the Gala Dei Castelli meeting in Bellinzona, Switzerland, in what will be his first international appearance in 1132 days.

Van Niekerk injured his knee in October of 2017 during a celebrity touch rugby match in Cape Town, and his return from injury has been marked with numerous setbacks.

Van Niekerk will take to the track at 20:10 this evening in the 400m for men.

In February, Van Niekerk, made his official comeback to the track following the long term injury when he won the 100 and 200m during the annual Motheo/ Xhariep Athletics meet in the City of Roses.

Earlier in that same week he also competed in and won the 100 and 800m during an unofficial University of the Free State hostel meet at Pellies Park on the campus. This event was on a grass track and the times were handheld.

A week later, Van Niekerk competed in the 400m during the Free State Championships at the Free State Athletics Stadium and won the race in a time of 47.42 sec.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport