The largest ever South African delegation is set to take part in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games starting in Italy on Friday, 6 February, with five athletes representing the country.
The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) confirmed the final team selection last week. The delegation surpasses the previous record of four athletes who competed at the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley, USA, marking a significant milestone for South African winter sport.
The team features two teenagers amongst its ranks – Thomas Weir (17) and Lara Markthaler (18), both competing in Alpine skiing. They will be joined by Malica Malherbe (21) in freestyle skiing, Nicole Burger (31) in skeleton, and Matthew Smith (35) in cross-country skiing.
All five athletes will be making their Winter Olympics debut for South Africa, though Markthaler has previous Olympic experience, having represented the country at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Pioneering paths
Markthaler’s selection makes history as she becomes the first South African female ski racer to compete at the Winter Olympics. Since South Africa’s debut at the 1960 Winter Olympics, only five women in total have represented the country, all in figure skating and short track speed skating.
Born in Germany to a German father, Christian, and South African mother, Judith, Markthaler practically grew up on snow-covered slopes in Germany and Canada. Despite being eligible to represent Germany, she chose to compete for South Africa when entering the open age category.
“When I entered the open age category, I chose to ski for South Africa. I like South Africa. I have most of my family there, and I just feel very connected to the country,” said Markthaler, who finished 29th at the 2025 FIS World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, putting South Africa on the ski racing map. “I never would have thought that I would go to world championships and be able to go to the Olympics. And it’s all evolved in a very positive way.”
Breaking new ground
Burger’s inclusion represents another historic milestone as she becomes the first competitive female skeleton racer to represent South Africa on the international circuit. Her journey to the Winter Olympics is anything but conventional.
Born in Bellville, Cape Town, Burger moved to the United Kingdom with her family as a child, where she initially took up athletics and horse riding before trying rugby sevens. Burger joined the Royal Air Force six years ago, her military service ultimately setting her on her current path to Olympic selection.
Remarkably, she only took up skeleton three years ago, having never imagined competing in winter sports as a child. “If you had asked me what skeleton was when I was a kid, I wouldn’t have the foggiest clue,” Burger said. “We weren’t really winter sports focused. It was all the summer sports. So, to potentially go to the Olympics, and then in a winter sport of skeleton, it’s crazy!”
Young talent and experience
Weir, the youngest team member, will compete in slalom and giant slalom events after qualifying in late 2025. He will be coached by Robert Weir during the Games.
Malherbe secured her Olympic spot following a strong performance in Ruka, Finland, in December. The 21-year-old, currently ranked 80th in the world, will compete in moguls and dual moguls freestyle skiing events.
Smith, 35, qualified for cross-country skiing after competing in Trondheim, Norway. Known as “The Snowbok,” Smith will be guided by coach Ole Ensrud as he represents South Africa in his discipline.
Historic representation
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games will run from Friday 6 to Sunday 22 February, with three-time Winter Olympian Alex Heath serving as Chef de Mission. Heath brings extensive experience, having competed for South Africa at Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, and Turin 2006.
In total, twelve different athletes have represented South Africa across seven previous Winter Games, with Heath competing three times and Oliver Kraas twice. The country is yet to win its first Winter Olympic medal.
SASCOC CEO Nozipho Jafta said: “Team South Africa has always competed with pride at the Winter Olympic Games. This edition we expect similar, in the pursuit for excellence. We wish them every success and assure them that they have the support of the entire nation behind them.”
She added that beyond podium aspirations, the team’s representation should “inspire a lot more younger athletes to follow their dreams to one day be a part of the Winter Olympic Games in the future.”
Financial incentives announced
SASCOC President Barry Hendricks expressed his pleasure at announcing the team, stating: “It always brings great pleasure to announce any team that will represent South Africa at a multi-coded Games, with the Winter Olympic Games being the pinnacle for any athlete participating in snow sports.”
The organisation has introduced financial incentives to reward athletic performance. Gold medallists will receive R400 000, with their coaches earning R100 000. Silver medallists will earn R200 000 and R50 000 respectively, whilst bronze medal payouts will be R75 000 and R25 000 for athlete and coach respectively.
The team will be supported by coaches Robert Weir, Christian Markthaler, Ole Ensrud, and Rhys Thornbury across the various disciplines.
