Rooskrantz, Simbine chosen as Team SA's flag bearers for Olympic Games

JOHANNESBURG - The Olympic Games are now just 16 days away and Team South Africa have chosen their flag bearers for the opening ceremony.

Gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz and 100m sprinter, Akani Simbine, will have the honour of carrying the flag and leading their nation out.

Rooskrantz will be competing at her second Olympics and is the first gymnast to receive this recognition.

She was chosen from the Olympic squad of 140 athletes and joins the list of some of South Africa's best-known sports stars like Chad le Clos, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya, who have been flag bearers at past Olympic Games.

The honour has gone mostly to swimmers and track athletes since the country’s readmission to the games in 1992, and Rooskrantz said she wasn’t expecting it.

"I feel super excited, super proud. It's definitely something I wouldn't have dreamed about. It really caught me off guard, I didn't see it coming. I'm super excited, nonetheless, excited to represent Gymnastics South Africa as well as South Africa as a whole and lead us into these Olympic Games."

The opening ceremony is on 26 July.