10 SA sport stars to look out for in 2016

Our sport writers took a gander at South Africa's most promising sportsmen and have chosen 10 star prospects to look out for in 2016.

Kagiso Rabada

There aren't many reasons to celebrate SA cricket at the moment, but the tall kid with the feline eyes is one of them.

Rabada bowls with a purity of purpose that was last seen in SA when Allan Donald was keeping the sunblock industry afloat. He is quick and accurate, and there is nastiness behind those eyes. Expect him to grow while others fade in 2016.

story_article_left1

Ludumo Lamati

Such is the excitement around the 22-year-old that many pundits expect the Mdantsane-born boxer to end South African bantamweight champion Toto Helebe's reign and also win a world title this year.

The man's talents are frightening and he is already rated No3 on the South African rankings after just eight fights since turning professional in 2014.

Fans have already picked up that he fights with a stance reminiscent of Phillip Ndou in his prime and they are salivating at the prospect in 2016.

Lawrence Brittain

The rower could become the South African sports story of the year. A year ago, he was still undergoing chemotherapy for lymph node cancer. He started with light training only in February last year and now he's getting strong enough to challenge for a seat in the men's heavyweight pairs boat, a medal prospect at the Rio Olympics.

Shaun Keeling and Vince Breet won bronze at the 2014 world championships, but Brittain, a former Under-23 world champion and a younger brother of 2012 lightweight fours gold medallist Matthew, is on the verge of forcing his way back into the boat.

full_story_image_hleft1

Phakamani Mahlambi

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has never been one to single out players for special praise but Mahlambi is the exception.

Hunt continues to gush about the teenage sensation, insisting that the 18-year-old attacker is even better than revered erstwhile striker Benni McCarthy.

That kind of comparison cannot be taken lightly, given McCarthy's exploits in Europe, SA and in Bafana Bafana colours.

The smart money is on him to fulfil that promise in Europe this year, a la McCarthy.

full_story_image_vleft2

Clyde Fortuin

Quinton de Kock may be the standout young stumper but Fortuin could be snapping at his heels if he does not raise his game to 2013's stratospheric heights. He was part of the Under-19 team that won the World Cup and is starting to prosper with regular cricket. A first-class average of 30 from 11 matches may not suggest much, but big things start small.

This year will be a big year for him as not many chances are given to young keepers.

full_story_image_vleft3

Andile Phehlukwayo

The young allrounder has made his mark at List A and Twenty20 level but 2016 could be the making of him as a key batting allrounder.

He has proven his worth with the ball but his batting can do with the same attention in the Sunfoil Series. Once he gets that department into line with his bowling, he could be the answer to South Africa's balance woes at test level.

full_story_image_vleft4

Godlen Masimla

The Stormers did not quite get their scrumhalf options right in the past, which makes 2016 an important year for Masimla.

He has gone through all the levels and has shown the right touches. Stormers coach Robbie Fleck will have seen enough of him to know how good he is and a consistent Super Rugby run could mark him out as one to watch.

full_story_image_hleft5

Rohan Janse van Rensburg

Having gotten over the injury worries that troubled his early Lions career, this former Baby Boks star looks likely to give Lions coach Johan Ackermann as many headaches as he will opposing defenders this year.

He's 100kg and runs straight but has good ball skills. He helped the Lions win the Currie Cup - after making his debut in September - with a barnstorming performance in the final against Western Province.

full_story_image_vleft6

Bongani Zungu

His list of suitors stretches from Johannesburg to Portugal and it is clear that the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder will have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks.

His reputation has grown over the past few months and he hasn't looked back since receiving high praise from Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas in Costa Rica's international friendly against Bafana in October. He has become an important player for both club and country and his superb screening of the lay of the pitch has allowed him to take charge of the midfield - attacking and defending effortlessly.

full_story_image_hleft7

Justin Geduld

The pacey Western Province and SA Sevens creative maestro was voted HSBC Player of the Final when the BlitzBoks won the Cape Town Sevens leg last month but he could be the next big thing, especially with the Rio Olympics on the horizon.

full_story_image_hleft8

- Compiled by David Isaacson, Bongani Magasela, Khanyiso Tshwaku, Telford Vice, Sbu Mjikeliso and Mninawa Ntloko