Western Cape athletics fans will be treated to the presence of 2015 javelin world champion Julius Yego during the Paarl leg of the already-successful Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix Series on Thursday.
The Kenyan, who earned the moniker 'Mr YouTube' after claiming that he was coached by the video-sharing website when he first turned professional, may not be in peak condition this season yet but he's sure to deliver a show at the Dal Josaphat Athletics Stadium.
Capable of hurling the javelin all of 92.72m, the 29-year-old is targeting a consistent set of thows on Thursday evening as he dials in ahead of a Commonwealth Games defense.
"Retaining the Commonwealth title is important to me as it was my first international title (he won in Glasgow in 2014 with a throw of 82.87m). But I have not had any real competition yet other than the [Kenyan] trials in February, so taking part in Paarl is good for me as it gives me another chance to hone my technique for the Games. Also the Meeting is in Africa and therefore very important to me to compete in, so I am looking forward to it."
Yego is acutely aware that Johannes Vetter has already gone over 90m this year, but the German will not be at the Commonwealth Games. Instead, he has cast an eye on the likes of India's Neeraj Chopra who has hit 85.94m this year and Hamish Peacock the Australian who is third on the 2018 world rankings with a throw of 83.63m.
"Both Chopra and Peacock have already thrown well this season and if I want to beat them in April at the Games, I will need a good solid competition behind me, so I am grateful for the opportunity to compete in Paarl."
If anybody is to give Yego a 'gee-up' on Thursday then Rocco van Rooyen is likely to be that man. The Western Province star has a knack for unleashing his biggest throws in his home province, not least his personal best of 85.39m from 2015, so Yego may well get his desired for 'solid competition'.