Trautman is one of several top athletes entered in the elite section of the nationals which will be staged at Maselspoort.

Trautman will be out of his comfort zone, as he is known for focusing on ultra-events as opposed to Olympic distances.

Trautman’s main competitors will be Henri Schoeman, Nick Quenet, Jamie Riddle and Bradley Weiss.

Trautman told OFM Sport that he has been working on his speed for the nationals.

“It will be my first time in Bloemfontein.

“I normally focus on the longer distance stuff, like the Ironman distance races. I don't do many Olympic distances races, but this is a non-drafting event so that suites me a little bit better at least.

“There are still some really fast swimmers and I expect the race to be really quick, so I've been trying to work on my speed a little bit.”

The elite race gets underway at 11:00 on Sunday morning.

The elite field:

Men – Henri Schoeman, Matt Trautman, Bradley Weiss, Jamie Riddle, Cameron MacNair, Adriaan Albert Myburgh, Mattew Nordengen-Corris, Dylan Nortjé, Nick Quenet, Christiaan Stroebel, Pieterjan van der Merwe, Ruan van Zyl, Divan du Plooy, Sebastian Pahl, Herbert Peters.

Women – Emma Pallant, Shanae Williams, Tegan Gore, Georgia Grobler, Hannah Newman, Magda Nieuwoudt, Julika Pahl, Cindy Schwulst, Bridget Theunissen, Natia van Heerden, Annah Watkinson.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport